Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki

The name Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki, in the O’odham language, it means “Blue Fly’s place of dwelling” or “Blue Fly’s house.” Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki, pronounced “CHUH-dag MOO-vahl VAH-kee", comes from a series of songs originating at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, located only about one mile from the ancestral site. The ancestors of the modern O’odham built Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki near the head-gates of one of the largest and most sophisticated networks of irrigation canals created in the Americas. Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki featured a large platform mound that served as a civic and gathering center where administrative and religious activities were performed. It is estimated that the site controlled over 27,000 acres of highly productive farmland supporting a large community.