Kumeyaay Indians Q1``

Who Were the Kumeyaay? An Indian tribe from San Diego and Baja. An Indian tribe from San Diego and Baja. They lived here beginning about 1,000 years ago. They lived here beginning about 1,000 years ago. “Kumeyaay” means people who face the water from the cliff. “Kumeyaay” means people who face the water from the cliff.

Where Did the Kumeyaay Live? Kumeyaay lived and still live in San Diego County. Kumeyaay lived and still live in San Diego County. Kumeyaay also lived in Baja California, Mexico. Kumeyaay also lived in Baja California, Mexico.

What Was the Region Like? There were no buildings, cars or freeways. There were no buildings, cars or freeways. There were trees, plants, rivers, streams and mountains. There were trees, plants, rivers, streams and mountains. Desert and dry Desert and dry There were deer, antelope, bears, big horn sheep and many other There were deer, antelope, bears, big horn sheep and many otheranimals.

Was Water Important for Kumeyaay? Water was the basis of life for Water was the basis of life for the Kumeyaay. They built their homes near the streams and rivers. They built their homes near the streams and rivers. They created ponds for animals and for bathing. They created ponds for animals and for bathing. It was used to water their crops. It was used to water their crops.

What Did the Kumeyaay Eat? What they ate depended on what time of the year it was. What they ate depended on what time of the year it was. Acorns and pinon nuts were eaten in the fall. Acorns and pinon nuts were eaten in the fall. These were gathered in the Laguna Mountains and in Baja California. These were gathered in the Laguna Mountains and in Baja California.

What Did the Kumeyaay Eat? Flowers, fruits, grain, seeds and roots were gathered in the spring and summer. Flowers, fruits, grain, seeds and roots were gathered in the spring and summer. Beans, corn and squash were planted in the desert and mountains. Beans, corn and squash were planted in the desert and mountains. Summer rainfall and streams made these plants possible for the Kumeyaay. Summer rainfall and streams made these plants possible for the Kumeyaay.

Who Did the Gathering? Women were in charge of gathering the wild plants. 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. 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. They may have lived in one or two different villages during the year depending on the season.

What About Hunting? Kumeyaay hunted antelope, deer and big horn sheep. Kumeyaay hunted antelope, deer and big horn sheep. They also hunted rabbits, rodents and birds which they would dry. They also hunted rabbits, rodents and birds which they would dry. They fished. They fished. They hunted year round. They hunted year round. The men were the hunters. The men were the hunters.

Where Did they Live? They built their home out of willow trees. They built their home out of willow trees. They made dome homes out of the branches and the leaves. 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. If they needed to move on or if something happened to their home, they could burn it down and make a new one.

Rabbit blankets and grass were used on the floor. Rabbit blankets and grass were used on the floor. Cooking was done in outdoor fire pits. Cooking was done in outdoor fire pits. In the village, there was a round space where they gathered for religious celebrations. In the village, there was a round space where they gathered for religious celebrations.

What Did the Kumeyaay Wear? Women-Willow Bark Skirts Women-Willow Bark Skirts Men/Women-Basket Hats Men/Women-Basket Hats Men-No Clothing or an Agave Belt for Hunting Tools. Men-No Clothing or an Agave Belt for Hunting Tools. Normally went barefoot. Normally went barefoot. Rabbit fur blankets in the cold. Rabbit fur blankets in the cold.

What Kinds of Celebrations Were There? Mourning Ceremonies: Occurred when someone died. Mourning Ceremonies: Occurred when someone died. They cut their hair when a family member died. They cut their hair when a family member died. They had healing ceremonies. They had healing ceremonies. Used herbal medicine in their ceremonies. Used herbal medicine in their ceremonies.

Dance and Music Dance and music were a part of every ceremony. Dance and music were a part of every ceremony. Usually used a gourd rattle to play music. Usually used a gourd rattle to play music. Songs told of their history or their creation. Songs told of their history or their creation. A traditional gourd rattle and a modern rattle.

Cultural Artifacts They make the finest coiled baskets in the world. They make the finest coiled baskets in the world. They were made of different grasses. They were made of different grasses. Liked to make designs such as deer, stars, flowers, butterflies and rattlesnakes. Liked to make designs such as deer, stars, flowers, butterflies and rattlesnakes.

Pottery Pottery was used to store food, to cook and to store cremation remains. Pottery was used to store food, to cook and to store cremation remains. Most clay was red or brown. Most clay was red or brown. Most of the pottery was left undecorated. Most of the pottery was left undecorated.

What Other Artifacts Were There? Clay and stone pipes were made to smoke tobacco. Clay and stone pipes were made to smoke tobacco. Rock Art- painted/carved symbols, animals or human shapes. Rock Art- painted/carved symbols, animals or human shapes. Sand Paintings Sand Paintings

What Kinds of Games Did They Play? Kumeyaay loved to play games. Kumeyaay loved to play games. Games were played to show endurance and skill. Games were played to show endurance and skill. Played during ceremonies. Played during ceremonies. Played a game like soccer where they kicked stones. Played a game like soccer where they kicked stones. Children tossed acorn shells onto sticks. Children tossed acorn shells onto sticks.

Other Information… Babies were carried on cradle boards. Babies were carried on cradle boards. Allowed them to be leaned against a tree while the mom was picking. Allowed them to be leaned against a tree while the mom was picking.

When girls became teenagers, their chins were tattooed. 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. They used a cactus thorn to poke small holes in their skin and charcoal was rubbed into it. Men sometimes tattooed their legs. Men sometimes tattooed their legs. Painting the face and body was done during celebrations Painting the face and body was done during celebrations