CONSTRUCTION OF HOMES AND VILLAGES

FAMILY HOUSES VARIED WITH THE LOCALE. THE POMO BUILT THEIR HOUSES WITH WILLOW POLES AND TULE - A SORT OF UPSIDE DOWN BASKET. THEY MADE THEIR SWEATLODGES AS SEMI-SUBTERRANEAN AND PACKED EARTH ON THE TOP LEAVING A SMOKE HOLE ON THE TOP. REPLICAS OF THESE HOUSES ARE FOUND AT POINT REYES. THEY PUT A BOUGH OF PEPPERWOOD ABOVE THEIR DOORWAY IN ORDER TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS.

THE NORTHERN TRIBES BUILT THEIR HOUSES WITH REDWOOD AND CEDAR PLANKS WITH A NARROW HOLE IN ONE WALL TO SERVE AS A DOOR. THE FLOORS WERE PACKED WITH DIRT AND A FIRE PIT WAS IN THE CENTER BORDERED WITH STONES. THE FAMILY SLEPT ON PLATFORMS AND KEPT THEIR COOKING BASKETS AND OTHER POSSESSIONS THERE.

SOME TRIBES KEPT HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF ACORNS IN LARGE VILLAGE BASKETS ON TOP OF PLATFORMS SO THAT THE ANIMALS COULD NOT EAT THEM. THEY LAST IN THE SHELL FOR OVER A YEAR,

THE YANA BUILT A CONE-SHAPED HOUSE WITH TALL POLES. THE HOUSE WAS ABOUT 20 FEET IN DIAMETER AND 10 FEET TALL. THEY COVERED THE POLES WITH SLABS OF PINE OR CEDAR BARK ADDING EARTH TO THE BASE ALONG WITH INSULATION. WHEN IT RAINED THEY COVERED THE SMOKEHOLE WITH AN ANIMAL SKIN.

THE CHUMASH LIVED IN A HOUSE THAT WAS SIMILAR TO THE POMO. IT WAS MADE OF POLES COVERED WITH GRASS THATCH RESULTING IN WELL INSULATED EARTH LODGE. A GRASS MAT WAS HUNG OVER THE DOOR.


C.L. KEN WORTH