The Chumash Indians lived along the coast of California, between Malibu and
Cayucos, as well as on the Northern Channel Islands. The area was first settled
about 13,000 years ago. Over time, the population increased and the people
adapted their lifestyle to the local environment. Before the Mission Period, the
Chumash lived in 150 independent villages with a total population of about 18,000
people. They had settlements on the Channel Islands and Santa Monica Mountains
as far back as thousands of years ago.
The Chumashan Indians, both of the islands and of the coast, were visited by
Europeans as early as 1542, when Cabrillo spent some time in their territory,
meeting with an exceedingly friendly reception. Vizcayno in 1602 also came in
contact with them.
In 1769, a Spanish land expedition, led by Gaspar de Portola, left Baja California
and reached the Santa Barbara Channel.
Five missions were established by the Franciscans among the Chumash; those of
San Luis Obispo, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, Purísima, and Santa Inez,
founded respectively in 1771, 1782, 1786, 1787, and 1804, the missionaries
meeting with little opposition and no forcible resistance. The early friendship for the
Spaniards soon changed to a sullen hatred under their rule, for in 1810 it was
reported by a missionary that nearly all the Indian women at Purísima had for a time
persistently practiced abortion, and in 1824 the Indians at Santa Barbara, Santa
Inez, and Purísima revolted against the mission authority, which they succeeded in
shaking off for a time though the Spaniards apparently suffered no loss of life at their
hands.
Cayucos, as well as on the Northern Channel Islands. The area was first settled
about 13,000 years ago. Over time, the population increased and the people
adapted their lifestyle to the local environment. Before the Mission Period, the
Chumash lived in 150 independent villages with a total population of about 18,000
people. They had settlements on the Channel Islands and Santa Monica Mountains
as far back as thousands of years ago.
The Chumashan Indians, both of the islands and of the coast, were visited by
Europeans as early as 1542, when Cabrillo spent some time in their territory,
meeting with an exceedingly friendly reception. Vizcayno in 1602 also came in
contact with them.
In 1769, a Spanish land expedition, led by Gaspar de Portola, left Baja California
and reached the Santa Barbara Channel.
Five missions were established by the Franciscans among the Chumash; those of
San Luis Obispo, San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara, Purísima, and Santa Inez,
founded respectively in 1771, 1782, 1786, 1787, and 1804, the missionaries
meeting with little opposition and no forcible resistance. The early friendship for the
Spaniards soon changed to a sullen hatred under their rule, for in 1810 it was
reported by a missionary that nearly all the Indian women at Purísima had for a time
persistently practiced abortion, and in 1824 the Indians at Santa Barbara, Santa
Inez, and Purísima revolted against the mission authority, which they succeeded in
shaking off for a time though the Spaniards apparently suffered no loss of life at their
hands.
A new study suggests that the Chumash, and other Native American groups
that live on the Pacific coast, may be descendants of the first migrants who
came to the Americas from Asia some 15,000 years ago.
The Chumash are now a people without land to call their own, as most
Chumash bands have not, with the exception of the Santa Ynez Samala
band, yet made the list of federally recognized tribes. But there are still many
people who can trace their ancestry back to historic Chumash communities.
that live on the Pacific coast, may be descendants of the first migrants who
came to the Americas from Asia some 15,000 years ago.
The Chumash are now a people without land to call their own, as most
Chumash bands have not, with the exception of the Santa Ynez Samala
band, yet made the list of federally recognized tribes. But there are still many
people who can trace their ancestry back to historic Chumash communities.
The prehistoric and historic Chumash were a maritime culture, using long wooden canoes called tomols to fish and
travel between different villages along the Pacific coast. In addition to the plank canoe, the Chumash are known for
their fine basketry, their mysterious cave paintings and their money made from shells.
The Chumash were a hunter-gatherer tribe, and even though they were sedentary, they did not farm the land.
Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino says in his journal that the Indians were "well formed and of good body,
although not very corpulent."
travel between different villages along the Pacific coast. In addition to the plank canoe, the Chumash are known for
their fine basketry, their mysterious cave paintings and their money made from shells.
The Chumash were a hunter-gatherer tribe, and even though they were sedentary, they did not farm the land.
Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino says in his journal that the Indians were "well formed and of good body,
although not very corpulent."
The Chumash were a matriarchal society, meaning their lineage was traced from the mother's side of the family,
and that the Chief could be either a man or a woman. They were also considered to be the keepers of the Western
Gate, and took this responsibility very seriously.
and that the Chief could be either a man or a woman. They were also considered to be the keepers of the Western
Gate, and took this responsibility very seriously.
The Chumash had a rich spiritual heritage,
most of which has been documented through their magnificent pictographs and petroglyphs, songs, dances, and
legends.The Chumash were skilled artisans and made excellent baskets and stone cookware. Some of their
sacred caves and cave art exist today. The dolphin, in particular, was sacred to them and can be seen in many of
their cave drawings.
The Chumash called themselves the "First People" (although "breadmaker" and "sea shell people" are sometimes
also used). Over time they developed an extensive astronomical science integrated into their religion. Important
points in the year, such as fall harvest and winter solstice, were marked by ceremonies. They carefully observed the
"Sky Coyote" and the "Sun" move across the "Mishapashup" (sky) to determine how the weather would develop. They
trusted the stars to lead them and each village had its own shaman/astrologer.
Chumash healers treated their patients with prayer, laughter, dreaming, healing ceremonies and other techniques.
Chumash Healers still practice the ancient healing arts in California. The Chumash also enjoyed games and they
often played against other tribes in friendly Shinny Hockey tournaments. In addition of sports, the Chumash also
gambled, having developed several variation of dice games. Gaming was as educational as it was entertaining, as it
served to teach the young about diplomacy, ethics, and life skills.
most of which has been documented through their magnificent pictographs and petroglyphs, songs, dances, and
legends.The Chumash were skilled artisans and made excellent baskets and stone cookware. Some of their
sacred caves and cave art exist today. The dolphin, in particular, was sacred to them and can be seen in many of
their cave drawings.
The Chumash called themselves the "First People" (although "breadmaker" and "sea shell people" are sometimes
also used). Over time they developed an extensive astronomical science integrated into their religion. Important
points in the year, such as fall harvest and winter solstice, were marked by ceremonies. They carefully observed the
"Sky Coyote" and the "Sun" move across the "Mishapashup" (sky) to determine how the weather would develop. They
trusted the stars to lead them and each village had its own shaman/astrologer.
Chumash healers treated their patients with prayer, laughter, dreaming, healing ceremonies and other techniques.
Chumash Healers still practice the ancient healing arts in California. The Chumash also enjoyed games and they
often played against other tribes in friendly Shinny Hockey tournaments. In addition of sports, the Chumash also
gambled, having developed several variation of dice games. Gaming was as educational as it was entertaining, as it
served to teach the young about diplomacy, ethics, and life skills.
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The Chumash
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Many elders today say that Chumash means “bead maker” or “seashell people.”
Once a thriving culture, the Chumash succumbed to Spanish conquistadors and American colonists. Even during
mission times the Chumash decreased greatly in numbers, and in 1884 Henshaw found only about 40 individuals.
By 1831, the number of mission-registered Chumash numbered only 2,788, down from pre-Spanish population
estimates of 22,000. By the 1870s, a mere handful of Chumash still survived. Scientists considered them museum
specimens. H. C. Yarrow, government ethnographer, wrote, "In 1875, the year in which we write, not a soul can be
found to give any information as to the ancient inhabitants of this part of the coast:"
By 1900, their numbers had declined to just 200.
mission times the Chumash decreased greatly in numbers, and in 1884 Henshaw found only about 40 individuals.
By 1831, the number of mission-registered Chumash numbered only 2,788, down from pre-Spanish population
estimates of 22,000. By the 1870s, a mere handful of Chumash still survived. Scientists considered them museum
specimens. H. C. Yarrow, government ethnographer, wrote, "In 1875, the year in which we write, not a soul can be
found to give any information as to the ancient inhabitants of this part of the coast:"
By 1900, their numbers had declined to just 200.
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