Ohlone People
Ohlone People
The Ohlone people are a group of Native American tribes who historically inhabited the Northern California coast. They were formerly known as the Costanoans, a term derived from the Spanish word "costeño," meaning "coast dweller." The Ohlone people lived in the area from the San Francisco Bay through Monterey Bay to the lower Salinas Valley.
Pre-European Contact
Before the arrival of Spanish explorers and missionaries, the Ohlone people lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering. They practiced the Kuksu religion and lived in a region that was one of the most densely populated areas north of Mexico. The Ohlone were organized into approximately 50 different "nations or tribes," each with about 50 to 500 members.
Spanish Colonization
The arrival of the Spanish in the late 18th century brought significant changes to the Ohlone way of life. The Spanish constructed missions along the California coast with the objective of Christianizing the native people. Between 1769 and 1834, the number of Indigenous Californians dropped dramatically due to disease, forced labor, and other factors.
Geography
The Ohlone inhabited a vast region that included the San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Monterey Bay area. Their territory extended from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Diablo Range in the east.
Language and Culture
The Ohlone people spoke several related languages that are part of the Utian language family. One of these languages is Chochenyo, which is indigenous to the inner East Bay. Today, efforts are being made to revitalize the Chochenyo language, with active learning groups working to ensure its survival.
Traditional Lifestyle
Ohlone villages were typically composed of domed structures made from willow poles and tule rushes. These villages varied in size and were often located near water sources. The Ohlone people were skilled basketmakers and relied heavily on acorns, which they gathered each fall.
Impact of the Gold Rush and Statehood
The California Gold Rush and subsequent statehood in 1850 had devastating effects on the Ohlone population. The state government perpetrated massacres against the Ohlone people, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. These events have been described as genocide.
Modern Day
Today, the Ohlone people are part of a thriving community in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are involved in cultural resource management, language revitalization, and land rematriation. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe is one of the largest politically cohesive modern groups of Ohlone, tracing their ancestry through the Missions Dolores, Santa Clara, and San Jose.