The Sonoran Desert is located in North America and covers parts of both the U.S. and Mexico. In the United States the Sonoran is found in Arizona and California. In Mexico, it runs through the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California and Baja Sur. It is the home of many unique plants like the saguaro cactus and the agave, or Century plant. Agaves are used today mainly for making tequila but there are other uses for this desert plant.
One of the useful things native people were able to make with agave leaves was twine or rope. The dried leaves of this plant can be made into twine. Agave was used by native tribes for making into nets in which to trap animals and also to use to weave into baskets. Another use is to use the agave twine to make a ristra. A ristra is a string onto which peppers or garlic is dried for late use or decoration.
Agave Twine
Here is how to make your own agave twine. You can also merge several pieces of agave twine and form agave rope. You will need to cut your agave leaves from the bottom of the plant as shown in photo so they can dry for several days before making the agave twine. The juice inside of the leaves is very irritating so do not use leaves that have not been dried.
Gently pound the leaves with a rock to remove the outer coating from the fibers inside.
Tie a knot on one end of the strands from one leave and tape down or nail to a wall.
Divide the fibers in half, holding half in each of your hands.
Braid the strands, twisting one side clockwise once with each crossover while braiding for strength
Continue braiding and twisting until it is complete, then tie a knot. These can be tied onto other prepared twines to form a longer agave twine.
Agave Paintbrush
Another thing you can make with your dried leaves is a natural paintbrush. Cut and dry your leaves, then pound one end with a rock until it is fuzzy like a paintbrush.
Sources:
Personal knowledge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoran_Desert
The Southwestern Companion, Norman Kolpas, 1991