THE OHLONES

THE OHLONE IS NOT REALLY A TRIBE BUT IT INCLUDED THE BAY AREA OF SAN FRANCISCO AS WELL AS TO THE SOUTH TO MONTERREY. THEIR TRIBELETS HAD ABOUT 250 PEOPLE WE KNOW THESE PEOPLE HAD DIFFERENT MOREWAYS, VALUES, TECHNOLOGIES, AND WAYS OF SEEING THE WORLD. A FRENCH SEA CAPTAIN MADE NOTE THAT THERE IS NOT ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT IS SO ABUNDANT WITH FISH AND GAME AND SEABIRDS. ALL THE CREEKS DURING THE PREHISTORIC PERIOD SPREAD OUT TO FORM LARGE MARSHES AND PONDS. WATER WAS MUCH MORE ABUNDANT . THEY WORSHIPPED ANIMAL SPIRITS.

IN THE WINTER ON A WARM DAY ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE THEIR TULE HOUSES(MADE UP WITH WILLOW POLES). THEIR HOUSES ARE CROWDED WITH POSSESSIONS. WOMEN WEAVE BASKETS AND PREPARE THE VEGETABLE MATERIALS USED FOR BASKET MAKING . THEY MAKE BLANKETS OF DEERSKIN AND RABBIT SKIN. A FEW OF THE WEALTHIER MEN HAVE TWO WIVES, AND THE CHIEF HAS 3 WIVES.

WHEN GUESTS FROM ANOTHER VILLAGE BRING TRADE GOODS THEY PREPARE A FEAST FOR THEM . THE WOMEN SING AN ACORN GRINDING SONG AS THEY USE THEIR MORTARS AND PESTLES. THEY LEACH THE ACORN FLOUR WITH HOT WATER TO MAKE MUSH FOR THE FEAST. THE HUNTERS FOR TOMORROW ONLY EAT ACORN MUSH - AND NO MEAT. THE SWEAT IN THE SWEAT LODGE. THE ELDER MEN TELL STORIES BESIDE A CAMPFIRE. IF THE HUNTERS ARE SUCCESSFUL, EVERYONE WILL GET SOME DEER MEAT. THEY ALSO EAT MANY INSECTS - GRASSHOPPERS, YELLOW JACKET GRUBS, AS WELL AS LIZARDS! THESE ARE ENJOYABLE FOOD FOR THEM..

THE OHLONES LIKE OTHER PREHISTORIC HUNTERS IN CALIFORNIA SWEATED BEFORE GOING OUT TO HUNT AND HE LIVES APART FROM HIS WIFE. AFTER A MAN CAPTURES A DEER HE HAS PRESCRIBED WAYS TO BUTCHER AND DISTRIBUTE THE MEAT.

WATERFOWL THEY CAUGHT INCLUDED SALMON, STURGEON, MUSSELS, SHELLFISH, SMELT, BEACHED WHALES, BIRD EGGS, SEA LIONS, DUCKS, AND GOOSLINGS. THEY USED NETS AS WELL AS HARPOONS.

WOMEN GATHERED ALL THE PLANT FOODS SUCH AS GREENS, CLOVER, MULE EAR SHOOTS, MINER'S LETTUCE, SEAWEED, AND THEY DUG FOR ROOTS - CATTAIL, MARIPOSA AND HARVEST LILIES, AND BLUE DICKS. THEY COLLECTED FRESH STRAWBERRIES, WILD GRAPES, GOOSEBERRIES, ELDERBERRIES, TOYON BERRIES, MANZANITA BERRIES, AND AND HUCKLEBERRIES. OHLONE MEALS WERE DELICIOUS.

THEIR MEALS AND COMMUNITY LIFE ARE SHARED BY EACH TRIBAL MEMBER. THE CHIEF WAS EXPECTED TO BE MASTER OF CEREMONIES DURING THE YEAR AND TO ORGANIZE FESTIVALS, CELEBRATIONS AND DISTRUBUTE FOOD. HE ALSO WAS IN A STRANGE POSITION - IF THE TRIBE WERE TO BE SHORT OF ACORNS, MEAT BEADS OR OTHER GOODS, HE WAS CRITISIZED SEVERELY.


MALCOLM MARGOLIN