What was the Yokut tribe known for?

The Yokuts were unique among the California natives in that they were divided into true tribes. Each had a name, a language, and a territory. The Yokuts were a friendly and peaceful loving people. They were tall, strong and well built.

What were the Yokuts good at making?

According to Evelyn Wolfson: “A species of bullrush, called tule, filled the marshland and supplied the Yokut with material for covering their houses, making clothes, and weaving baskets. The rich food resources of the area allowed them to build large, permanent villages near the water.

What was the Yokut tribe good at?

They were tall, strong and well built. The Yokuts lived a simple life, depending on the land for food, clothing, and shelter. We believe the tribe along with others belonged to the first groups that settled in California. They are called the seed-gatherers because they did no farming at all in the days before Columbus.

What tools did the Yokuts tribe use?

Yokuts used spears, basket traps, and assorted other tools to hunt a variety of local animals, such as game birds, waterfowl, rabbits, turtles, various fish, mussels, and wasp grubs. Big game was hunted less frequently, but included deer, elk, and antelope.

What art did the Yokuts make?

The Yokut were experts at basketry. The baskets are the main thing in Yokut arts and crafts because they were great basket makers. Today an antique basket would cost over $1,000! They made many different types of baskets like bowl shaped cooking baskets, cone shaped carrying baskets, flat basket trays, etc.

What did the Yokuts use for clothing?

Yokuts men wrapped a deer skin around their loins or went naked. Girls after puberty wore a two piece skirt of willow bark. Both sexes wore rabbit skin blankets for protection against cold and rain and as bed coverings. Moccasins of deer or elk skin of simple patterns were worn when there was need.

What are the Yokuts houses called?

Each village had a sweathouse, dug down into the ground and covered with brush and earth. Only the men used the sweathouse, both for sweat baths and for sleeping. Southern Valley Yokut villages did not have dance or assembly houses, though these may have been used in Northern Valley villages.

How did the Yokuts travel?

Transportation Valley Yokuts used wide, flat rafts made from lashed tule rushes. They floated belongings across rivers on log rafts. Some Foothills groups also used small basket boats. Women carried burdens in baskets anchored by tumplines.

How did the Yokuts live?

A typical shelter was the mat-covered communal house. As many as 10 families could live there. Some Yokuts, especially those around Tulare Lake, built temporary huts. These wedge-shaped tents were up to 300 feet long and could house a dozen or more families.

What tribe is known for their baskets?

Plateau tribes like the Paiute make twined baskets from hemp, while California tribes often stitch beads and feathers into their grass or reed baskets. Northern Indian tribes like the Chippewa craft birchbark baskets, and some Inuit groups even make baskets of whale baleen.

What did the Yokut wear?

Clothing was simple: men wore loincloths or went naked, and women wore fringed aprons front and back. Chiefs headed tribes and villages and were generally wealthy as well as knowledgeable in religious matters. The chiefly office was hereditary and could be held by women as well as men.