Religious Systems
This religion, practiced by tribes like the Pomo and Maidu, had initiation rituals and helped unify different groups.
What is the Kuksu religion?
This leader, sometimes a woman, was in charge of sharing resources and keeping emergency supplies.
Who is the chief?
The Pomo were famous for this craft, which they used for gathering food and in ceremonies.
What is basket weaving?
This food, kind of like bread or rice for tribes, was a big part of their diet.
What are acorns?
This mountain range separated coastal and inland tribes and influenced their way of life.
What are the Sierra Nevada mountains?
This southern California religion, practiced by the Luiseño and Diegueño, was tied to politics and social life.
What is the Toloache religion?
This group of people, like family heads and elders, helped chiefs make decisions.
Who are councils of elders?
These natural materials, like willow and reeds, were used to make baskets.
What are plant fibers?
Tribes used this method, like soaking or boiling, to make acorns less bitter.
What is leaching?
This river, super important to the Hupa, flows through the Hoopa Valley.
What is the Trinity River?
These two roles in tribes were super important—they healed people, gave advice, and even made art.
Who are chiefs and shamans?
This group in tribes had the most privileges, like better clothes and control over resources.
Who are the elite class or chiefs' families?
Tribes used this practice, like setting small fires, to manage forests and help with hunting.
What is controlled burning?
This animal, caught with nets and snares, was used for food, grease, and even its bones.
What is a rabbit?
Tribes like the Yurok used this coastal resource to build boats and houses.
What are redwood trees?
This part of tribal religion involved lifelong participation and helped bring people together.
What are religious societies or initiation processes?
This role, open to men and women, involved healing, giving advice, and making art.
Who is the shaman?
The Hupa built these traditional homes, which were super important to their way of life.
What are plank houses?
Tribes near the coast relied on this for food, like fish, clams, and mussels.
What are marine resources?
Tribes shaped the environment by doing this, like burning and pruning plants.
What is traditional land management?
In tribal religions, this is how people could gain more status and influence over time.
What are status promotions or ceremonial advancements?
This part of tribal life let lower-status people speak up or leave bad situations.
What is flexibility in the social system?
This part of tribal culture included storytelling, music, and dance, and helped bring people together.
What are ceremonial traditions?
Tribes moved around seasonally to follow food sources, like deer and acorns, in this practice.
What is seasonal mobility?
This legacy, like rock art and ceremonies, shows how tribes shaped California’s culture and history.
What is cultural preservation or rock art?