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Introduction to life on the river The river was perhaps the most populated area. It afforded quick and easy access to both the coast and the mountains. The variety and richness of resources found by the river were unequaled. There were reeds, willows, oaks, rabbits, and other small mammals. There were plants such as agave and many medicinal plants. The rocks formed natural metates for grinding. Basketry and Weaving. Baskets were used for storage, sifting trays, burden (carrying) baskets, parching trays, cooking, and as caps for the head. Baskets were usually decorated with simple geometric patterns. More elaborate patterns were added after European demand for Indian baskets increased. Women's clothing was made from weaving. They wore aprons made of shredded willow bark. The Agave served many purposes. Strong fibers came from the Agave plant. Fiber was used for bowstrings, for some weaving, and for the sacred netting used in the boys ceremony. Agave was also used to make sandals. Rabbit hunting nets were made of agave or milkweed fiber and warm blankets were made by weaving rabbit skins with the fiber cord. Pottery The Kumeyaay along with the Cahuilla and other Colorado River tribes were among the few in California that used pottery. Pottery was used for storage of water and food. Kumeyaay used large ceramic vessels (pahátc) or ollas to store acorns, mesquite, maize, beans, squash seeds, processed agave, and other plant foods. The pots had small necks to prevent evaporation and make them easy to seal. Virtually waterproof and pest proof, the pots were left along the trail as supply stations for families who knew where to find them. Water ollas (kuLakur) were placed along major trails in the desert and kept filled. The Kumeyaays were adept enough to make a water olla that held 50 gallons of water and was over four feet tall. Women made pottery and baskets. The pottery is considered among the best in the Southwest. It is light, thin-walled, and came in many shapes. Pottery was usually not painted but had swirling "fire clouds" instead which occur naturally during firing. Sometimes simple geometric patters were painted or incised into the pottery clay. Pottery also was used for sculpture, pipes, and miniature vessels. |
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Your Task Like the Kumeyaay, you are to work together to gather essential information and items from the river to bring back to the hut. How you divide your task responsibilities is up to you to coordinate amongst yourselves. The Challenge Find the answer to each of the following questions. When you find all of the correct words, may take the props that match each of the words and return to the hut. You must also provide the Kumeyaay word to one more question. Using the Kumeyaay words you find with the answers to the questions, match the letters in the correct order to find the asnwer to this final question:
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