Transcript Native American Research Projects and Presentations

Q
Kumeyaay Indians
Who Were the Kumeyaay?
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An Indian tribe from
San Diego and Baja.
They lived here
beginning about 1,000
years ago.
“Kumeyaay” means
people who face the
water from the cliff.
Where Did the Kumeyaay Live?
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Kumeyaay lived and
still live in San Diego
County.
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Kumeyaay also lived in
Baja California,
Mexico.
What Was the Region Like?
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There were no buildings, cars or freeways.
There were trees, plants, rivers, streams
and mountains.
Desert and dry
There were deer, antelope, bears, big horn
sheep and many other
animals.
Was Water Important for
Kumeyaay?
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Water was the basis of life for
the Kumeyaay.
They built their homes near the streams
and rivers.
They created ponds for animals and for
bathing.
It was used to water their crops.
What Did the Kumeyaay Eat?
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What they ate depended
on what time of the year
it was.
Acorns and pinon nuts
were eaten in the fall.
These were gathered in
the Laguna Mountains
and in Baja California.
What Did the Kumeyaay Eat?
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Flowers, fruits, grain,
seeds and roots were
gathered in the spring
and summer.
Beans, corn and squash
were planted in the
desert and mountains.
Summer rainfall and
streams made these
plants possible for the
Kumeyaay.
Who Did the Gathering?
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Women were in charge of gathering the wild
plants.
The people often traveled to different parts of
the region to take advantage of gathering the
best food.
They may have lived in one or two different
villages during the year depending on the
season.
What About Hunting?
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Kumeyaay hunted antelope, deer and big horn
sheep.
They also hunted rabbits, rodents and birds
which they would dry.
They fished.
They hunted year round.
The men were the hunters.
Where Did they Live?
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They built their home
out of willow trees.
They made dome homes
out of the branches and
the leaves.
If they needed to move
on or if something
happened to their home,
they could burn it down
and make a new one.
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Rabbit blankets and
grass were used on the
floor.
Cooking was done in
outdoor fire pits.
In the village, there was
a round space where
they gathered for
religious celebrations.
What Did the Kumeyaay Wear?
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Women-Willow Bark
Skirts
Men/Women-Basket Hats
Men-No Clothing or an
Agave Belt for Hunting
Tools.
Normally went barefoot.
Rabbit fur blankets in the
cold.
What Kinds of Celebrations Were
There?
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Mourning Ceremonies: Occurred
when someone died.
They cut their hair when a family
member died.
They had healing ceremonies.
Used herbal medicine in their
ceremonies.
Dance and Music
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Dance and music were a part of every
ceremony.
Usually used a gourd rattle to play music.
Songs told of their history or their creation.
A traditional gourd rattle and a
modern rattle.
Cultural Artifacts
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They make the finest
coiled baskets in the
world.
They were made of
different grasses.
Liked to make designs
such as deer, stars,
flowers, butterflies and
rattlesnakes.
Pottery
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Pottery was used to
store food, to cook and
to store cremation
remains.
Most clay was red or
brown.
Most of the pottery was
left undecorated.
What Other Artifacts Were There?
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Clay and stone pipes
were made to smoke
tobacco.
Rock Art-painted/carved
symbols, animals or
human shapes.
Sand Paintings
What Kinds of Games Did They
Play?
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Kumeyaay loved to play games.
Games were played to show endurance and
skill.
Played during ceremonies.
Played a game like soccer where they kicked
stones.
Children tossed acorn shells onto sticks.
Other Information…
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Babies were carried on
cradle boards.
Allowed them to be
leaned against a tree
while the mom was
picking.
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When girls became teenagers, their chins were
tattooed.
They used a cactus thorn to poke small holes
in their skin and charcoal was rubbed into it.
Men sometimes tattooed their legs.
Painting the face and body was done during
celebrations