The Yokut

1. The Yokut By Zachary Rolland

2. Homeland ~Each tribe spoke a different language ~Yokut lived in San Joaquin Valley ~ Their neighbors included the Miwok, Salinan, and Chumash

3. Society • The Yokut lived in settlements • Some totems were Eagle, Dove, Falcon, Magpie, Bear, Cougar, Blue Jay, and Rattlesnake.

4. Food • The Yokut hunted, fished and gathered food from their lands • The Yokut also gathered fresh water mussels.

5. Homes • The Yokut lived in cone shaped homes • The Yokut used rope made from milk weed fibers to tie the pieces together.

6. Family • The Yokut women raised the children, gathered fished and cooked • Yokut families moved with the seasons

7. Children • The Yokut cared for their babies by carrying them in cradle baskets • Children learned their peoples’ dances, songs and stories.

8. Clothing ~The Yokut men wore deer skins ~The Yokut usually went bare foot ~Both men and women wore their hair long

9. Crafts • The Yokut were excellent basket makers • The twine method was used to make necked water bottles

10. War • The Yokut were a peaceful and friendly people • When peace efforts failed the people sent a messenger to the other tribe

11. Contact With Europeans • IN the 1700s the Yokut had a brief encounter with Europeans • They believed the ghost dance would bring back their dead ancestors and restore their way of life

12. Myths • The Yokut have a story about how the earth was created

13. Leaders • Chief Estanisalao was a an northern Yokut • He knew the Yokut and other native people worked hard

14. Today • The Yokut lost many people and almost all of their homelands • Today there are about 2,000 Yokut people

15. Bibliography • Gray-KanaTiosh, Barbara. Yokut. ABDO Publishing Company, 2004. • http://www.tachi-yokut.com/