You are driving to the Sequoia National Park, and look on your right. Screech, the car comes to a halt at, the Three Rivers Historical Museum, guarded by 72 year-old, weighing several tons, the American giant himself, Paul Bunyan. Carved from a giant sequoia, he welcomes people to the museum.
Outside you will find examples of native houses. You could find some of the original ones still standing and in use as late as 1930. The California Indians of the Central Valley arenamed Yokuts (with the s) means people, and they occupied one of the largest areas in California stretching from north of Stockton, near Galt to south of Bakersfield, spread between the mountain ranges from east to west.
According to Latta's work pgs. 345-391, the Yokuts built five types of houses: communal houses, tule house, a tule-mat shade, and sweat houses. Most of the permanent homes like the one shown below made of tule reeds were built along a stream or lake in straight rows like you might find in any large city.
The doorways were always on the south side. |
This is the back side of the Yokuts home. It was not set into an excavated circle. |
Even though these tule huts were considered the more permanent of the homes, they could be moved easily if they were not covered with mud.
Temporary bark residence of Yokuts Indians called samish. |
I lightened the insides of these shots so you could see them better. |
Tule-Mat Shade |
Another excellent resource for learning about California Indians is A.L. Kroeber's Handbook of the Indians of California. Jared Aldern and Ron Goode are also excellent resources for information and curriculum about the Yokuts. Jared also has a website and a blog through Stanford called the Comparative Wests Project.
To connect with social studies educators join California Council for the Social Studies. Also visit our local affiliate, San Joaquin Valley Council for the Social Studies. Or like them on Facebook.
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