Chapter 13: The Miwok of the Sierra Foothills

The Miwok are undoubtedly the largest tribe of California and are also the only tribe to live throughout the range from ocean into the Sierra. Needless to say, however, there are enormous differences between Miwok groups, depending upon the particular ecological niche inhabited. The Sierra Miwok are, in this respect, a good example of life in the Sierra Foothills. Similarly, the Maidu inhabited the Sierra Foothills to the north of the Miwok. The Yana, Konkow, and Foothill Yokuts are others who established very similar lifeways.

At Indian Grinding Stone State Historical Park, near Volcano, California, one can find Miwok culture as it existed through modern time. Various creeks flow into the Cosumnes River through foothill meadows. The meadows and forests are full of magnificent Valley Oaks and Black Oaks. One can see a small restored village of conical bark houses with granaries for harvested acorns in between. There is also a magnificently maintained Great House, or round dance house. In a central portion of the meadow, there is a huge flat outcropping of granite, used as a bed rock mortar site by Miwoks for centuries.

>Origins, Relations, and Environment.

>Distinguishing Features of Material and Social Culture

>Narratives, Spiritualism, and Individuality

Bibliography