Keith H. Basso

Keith H. Basso was an anthropologist known for studying how Indigenous Western Apache communities in Arizona use language and place-names to communicate social values, history, and identity. His work emphasized that place-names are more than geographic labels—they carry rich cultural meanings and serve as tools for social interaction, storytelling, and cultural continuity. Basso's research highlights the importance of understanding language as a way people express their connection to land and community, providing insights into Indigenous worldviews and communication practices.