The Chumash Indians were a tribe of Indians who lived on the coast of modern day California. Their name, according to Chumash elders, means bead maker or seashell people. They called themselves the first people and pointed to the pacific ocean as their first home. Their territory spanned 7000 square miles, from modern Malibu beach to Paso Robles. They also inhabited inland to the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley. They were able to enjoy life a little bit more than other tribes because they had resources from both land and sea. Their numbers were once in the tens of thousands. They were very organized within the tribe. Many had jobs such as hunters, fishers, and gatherers. They recognized their dependance on the world around them. They held ceremonies honoring this. Their priests led several days of dancing and feasting to honor the sun. Because of their civilized way of life, the Chumash could be compared to the prehistoric culture known as the Mississippians. The Chumash Indians were the only tribe to use a form of currency. They used a seashell called the Purple Olivella. By crushing it and shaping it, they used this to pay for many trades. …show more content…
They also traded with other Californian tribes to get other goods they could not make themselves. They hunted large and small animals, such as deers and rabbits.They did not plant corn or tomatoes like other tribes did and ate wild pants. They made soup from shellfish, and cooked meat and fish over fires. Their consumption of animals both small and large is further evidence placing them with the many tribes compared to the