The Chumash

The Chumash — page 1
CHAPTER one WHO ARE THE CHUMASH The Chumash are a group of American Indians that traditionally lived in and around the Santa Barbara Channel area in California and spoke languages from the Hokan language family Their name comes from the name Michumash which means a people who make shell bead money Chumash society was once widespread and diverse with at least eight dialects spoken and many variations across communities Over the centuries the Chumash society and culture were affected by the invasion of their lands by European and American settlers During the 18th and 19th centuries the Chumash suffered huge losses due to disease and war They were forcibly relocated enslaved and killed The Chumash have fought to recover from the many injustices they suffered in the past Today their culture continues to change as they work to honor their past and protect their future In this photo a man in traditional dress dances at a celebration at the Chumash Interpretive Center in Thousand Oaks California 4