Chumash
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FOUR
DIRECTIONS INSTITUTE
Chumash |
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| Ethnie: | CHUMASH |
| Languages: | Barbareno, Canaleno, Cruzeno, Ineseno, Obispeno, Purisimeno, Ventureno |
| Family: | Chumashan |
| Stock: | Chumashan |
| Phylum: | Chumashan |
| Macro-Culture: | Southern California |
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| The Chumash were a California language group comprised of several tribes. Most of the Chumash cultures were maritime hunter/gatherers, others were inland hunter/gatherers. They were located in the three northern Santa Barbara islands, along the coast from Malibu Canyon north to Estero Beach, and inland as far as the ridge of the coastal range. The Chumash entire rich culture was destroyed early by Spanish missionization and, later, Mexican overlords. They tried one feeble revolt in 1824. Considerable unrecognized populations exist today in parts of their aboriginal territory. Whether the Chumash language is part of the Hokan language phylum or a separate phylum is in dispute, though there is a growing consensus that Chumashan is not a component of Hokan. |
| Aboriginal Locations |
| (154 villages, Map: http://www.sbnature.org/chumash/local.htm) |
| Mainland: Achililliwo, 0Alkash, 0Alkuy, 0Anaquwuk, 0Aquitsu’m, 0Ataxvs, 0Awha’y, 0Axwapsh, Chanu, Chena, Chvhikukunach, Chiliqin, Chimimu, Chvmoli, Chvmonimu’, Chisqio, Chitneqle, Chitpu, Chitqawi, Chixwale, Elewexe, Hawamvw, Heliyik, Helo’, He’lxman, Heqep, Hipuk, Humaliwo, Huwam, 0Itiyaqsh, Kach’antuk’, Kalawshaq’, Kamulus, Kanaputeqnon, Kashtayit, Kashtiq, Kasunalmu, Kayiwish, K’o’owshup, Kimishax, Kuyam, Kuya’mu, Lalimonux, Lishawato’w, Lisiqishi, Lompo’, Lonsoqoq, Lospe, Loxostox’ni, Malapwam, Mat’apxa’w, Matapxwelxwel, Mat’ilha, Mikiw, Mishopshno, Mupu, Muwu, Nipumu’, Noqto, Onomyo, Naxuwi, Petpatsu, Pismu’, Qasil, Qmimu, Q’oloq’, S’apwi, Saq’ka’ya, Saqsiyol, S’axpilil (2), S’eqp’e, Sh’ahuchu, Shalawa, Shilimaqshtush, Shimiyi, Shipuk, Shisholop(2), Shishuch’i, Shnaxalyiwi, Shniwax, Shnoxsh, Shuku, Shumpashi, Shuxwiyuxus?, Sis’a, Siwaya, Siswow, Sisxulkuy, Siwaya, S’omis, Soxtonokmu, Snisewi, Sqe’ele, Sqene’n, Stemeqtatimi, Step, Stuk, Sumo, Sumuawawa, Siwil, Sxaliwilimu’, Syuxtun, Ta’apu, Ta’lopop, Tashilpun, Tech, Teqepsh, Texax, Tkiye, Tipexpa, Tipu, Tsikyiw, Tsimosmu’, Tsipxatu, Tsiqsitye, Tsitkawayu, Tsit’oyo’, Tsitxala, Tsiwikon, Tso, Washlayik, Wasna, Wenexe’l, Wexetmimu, Wililik’, Wishap, Xalam, Xana’yan (134 villaegs). |
| San Miguel Island (Tuqan): Niwoyomi, Tuqan (2 villages). |
| Santa Cruz Island (Limuw): Ch’ishi, L’akayamu, L’alale, Liyam, Lu’upsh, Nanawani, Mashchal, Shawa, Swaxil, Xaxas (10 villages) |
| Santa Rosa island (Wimal): Helewashkuy, Hichimin, Nawani, Niaqla, Nilal’uy, Nimkilkil, Silimihi (8 villages) |
| Present Locations |
| SANTA YNEZ RESERVATION, Santa Ynez |
| Groups with Recognition Petitions |
| COASTAL BAND OF CHUMASH INDIANS, Santa Barbara |
| Year | History |
| 1542 | Encountered by Cabrillo and Ferrelo |
| 1602 | Visited by Viscaino |
| 1769 | Portola passed through territory |
| 1772 | Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolusa established |
| 1782 | Mission San Buenaventura established |
| 1786 | Mission Santa Barbara established |
| 1787 | Mission La Purisma Concepción established |
| 1801 | Secretly began returns to native religions |
| 1802 | Pneumonia and diphtheria epidemics |
| 1804 | Mission Santa Inez established |
| 1806 | Measles epidemic |
| 1821 | Most of tribe indentured to Mexican feudal barons |
| 1824 | La Purisma Revolt, relatively feeble |
| 1844 | Epidemic wiped out Purisma group |
| 1848 | Woman rescued from San Nicolas Island and brought to Santa Barbara Mission after being stranded for 18 years |
| 1855 | 109 settled at Zanja de Cota Reservation |
| Year | Population | Source |
| 1700 | 10,000 | NAHDB calculation |
| 1780 | 10,000 | Kroeber estimate |
| 1800 | 9,000 | NAHDB calculation |
| 1831 | 2,788 | Registered at missions |
| 1832 | 2,471 | Cook estimate |
| 1848 | 1,150 | Cook estimate |
| 1852 | 1,050 | Cook estimate |
| 1865 | 659 | Cook estimate |
| 1880 | 200 | Cook estimate |
| 1900 | 100 | NAHDB calculation |
| 1910 | 38 | Census |
| 1920 | 74 | Cook estimate |
| 1930 | 14 | Census |
| 1974 | 40 | Reservation population |
| 1989 | 223 | BIA estimate |
| 2000 | 1,500 | NAHDB calculation |
| Last updated 06/27/07 Copyright © 2007 by Four Directions Press |