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Achomawi, Atsugewi, Maidu, and Perhaps Paiute, Though No Authority a Different Topogra Appears to Have Asserted That Any of Them Lived on the Lake Drainage

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETH-NOLOGY BULLETIN 78

HANDBOOK

OF THE INDIANS OF

BY

A. L. KROEBER

WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1925 [BUI,[,. 7S

nunitv dances, no wor- . When they dance, it articular individual or )repare themselves for CHAPTER 21. adolescence, to acquire id there they stop. It THE ACHOMfAWI AND . tion of the poor high- THE : Habitat, 305; divisions, names, and population, 306; war and The contrast is pecu- trade, 308; food, 303); industries. 310; dress, 310); minoey, 311; dwellings, math were close neigh- 311; social institutions, 313; ritual, 313; , 314; mythology, 315; 315. THE ATSUGoEvI, 315. d centers of northwest- place of culture, La visited and watched THE ACIIOMIAWI. ating. een reported from the HABITAT. { be accepted, since the The territory of the Achomawi comprised the drainage of Pit hwestern culture. The River-an eastern affluent of the Sacramento much larger than the [ration, or made on the so-called main river-from near Montgomery Creek in Shasta County Lake on the line; with the exception of the ter- Lfrom the Modoc about up to Goose southern tributaries, Burney, Hat, and Horse arok and perhaps the ritory watered by three or Dixie Valley Creeks, along which the Atsugewi were lodged. this movement seems to Like, the northwestern Californians and the Shasta, the Achomawi ley of the "big head" Their villages were all on itself or 1, via the Wintiin on the were a stream people. on the lower courses of its affluents. The back country was visited A solid color on the map accordingly ic number of the Shasta. and owned, but not settled. of the relation of many Californian ns. gives a one-sided impression tribes to their habitat. This is particularly true of the Achomawi, all of whose territory are left gic and adventure. with is high and comparatively barren as soon as the streams of Pit but without order, se- behind, while a large part. of it, particularly to the north of the present condition River, is pure waste lava. For this reason the boundaries of Achomawi land are of little inted by the Shasta are significance compared with an understanding of the narrow tracts iomawi and neighboring actually dwelt in. [e cosmogony that occurs On the north, toward the Modoe, the Achomawi territorial limits are particu- creator an(1 hardly any larly vague and immaterial. We knon merely that they hunted to Mount ipress of the idea of an Shasta and Medicine Lake; but the Modoc may have gone as far or farther south pursuits. The essential relation was that the settlements of the among the Karok and in legitimate is one people were on Lower Klamath and Rhett Lakes and Lost River, of the e in the past two genera- other on Pit River. with a great emptiness between. of the reflective than of The shores of Goose Lake, out of which Pit River flows, have been claimed t the qualities described in their entirety for the Achomawi, the Modoc, and the Northern Paiute. As considerable degree even there appears to be no specific mention of villages of any of the three groups as actually on the shores of the lake, the uncertainty has been compromised on 305 306 BUTREAU! OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY IBULL,. 78 K ROMBER] HANI the map by extending the Achomawi to it and giving the hulk of its shores to the Paiute. The mountains west of Goose Lake would seem to have formed farther away, they the western boundary of the Paiute; but we do not know. generic designation The range between the Achomawi South Fork of Pit River and the Paiute A similar situati Middle and Lower Lakes can hardly have been other than a recognized limit. apparent difference Still farther south and west the undrained Madeline plains and Eagle Lake one hand, and, say, Basin offer difficulty to the cartographder. The latter has been variously as- signed to Achomawi, Atsugewi, , and perhaps Paiute, though no authority a different topogra appears to have asserted that any of them lived on the lake drainage. The organization. Whe rcgion is more similar in its character to the territory of the two northern basins separated by groups than to the Maidu range; and of the two northern and allied peoples, as among the Yurc the Atsugewi had the nearer habitations in Dixie Valley. of river or, as witl Our knowledge also fails to suffice for the drawing of a real line between the Achomawi and the Atsugewi, except that the former, on Pit River, held broken but generall the mouths of the three streams along which, farther up, the latter lived. equally favorable tb Beaver Creek is between Dixie Valley Creek and , but is specifically have less occasion t4 assigned to the Achomawi. The reason for this distribution is evidently the group consciousness fact that Beaver Creek flows parallel and close to Pit River. while the other scending it, and ex streams come in from a distance and at right angles. On their lower Pit River range the Achomawi border on Yana, Wintttn, and name, as among the . The stated boundary between Achomawi and Okwanuchu cuts can begin justly to s across the headwaters of the McCloud. which may be true, but would be bad nizable political unii Indian custom unless the Achomawi had villages on these headwaters. The recognizing the aut recorded line perhaps signifies nothing more than that the Okwanuchu had no Achomawi divisions .villages there. At that, it is hardly conceivable that they should not have hunted on these upper courses, and the real question would seem to be whether unit communities, cc the Okwanuchu and Achomawi avowedly shared the right of visit to the district, have been enumerate or whether the former owned the tract and the latter poached on it when they is little present meai felt themselves strong enough. These are the divisioi As to , there were no Achomawi near It. That they hunted to Achomnawi, on Fall Rive it, and did so within their rights, is likely. It was customary for great peaks Crook; Chumawi, in Rc to be regarded by Californian peoples as the starting points of their several boundaries. Hot Springs Vhlley; As South Fork of Pit Rivei DIVISIONS, NAMES, AND POPUIATION. Of the several subdivi named after a principal We know no Pit River villages. Some S or 1() group names on have also been recorded record are given below. They refer collectively to the people of f in Achomawi or any a may in reality natural areas, such as valleys or drainage basins. It is needful not refer to Valley people as a who] to apply habits of interpretation formed from acquaintance with erners," by the eastern tribes to these names. There is little to show whether or not also been recorded for the villages in any such area felt themselves united politically; in force, since Yuki means other words, whether it would be justifiable to reckon them as tribes. logical usage has come Even the names appear to be geographic and not national, much as Coast Range on the othei were called Akowigi by in a larger view we speak of Sudan or South American peoples. It Aehomawi division. is even doubtful whether the inhabitants of each valley used their On the basis of speer name, except as now and then they might on occasion copy the pected that the Achomav practice of outsiders. To themselves they may have been only the (loose Lake; but nothing people of this and that particular village. But when they thought In native parlance, Ac] ing in the basin of Fall of the inhabitants of the next basin, and particularly of those still Atsugewi generic term P language-the Hamawi, _Y1

;01l,OGY I BULL. 78 KROIDBDRI HANDBOOK OF INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA 307 ig the hulk of its shores to farther away, they no doubt generally spoke of them under their to have formed ould seem designations. know. generic The Pit River and the Paiute A similar situation has been described among the Yuki. [er than a recognized limit. apparent difference between these people and the Achomawi, on the ine plains and Eagle Lake one hand, and, say, the Miwok on the other, may be a, reflection of tter has been variously as- a different topography, rather than of another type of political Palute, though no authority organization. Where the country falls into naturally habitable an the lake drainage. The ritory of the two northern basins separated by unsettled tracts, group names spring up. Where, iorthern and allied peoples, as among the , villages are threaded along a single stretch alley. of river or, as with the Miwok, scattered indiscriminately over a ,ing of a real line between broken but generally uniform country, all parts of which are about former. on Pit River. held equally favorable to permanent location, the larger group names Lrther up, the latter lived. at Creek, but is specifically have less occasion to arise. It is only where we encounter definite Distribution is evidently the group consciousness not based on topography but frequently tran- Pit River. while the other scending it, and expressed in an individual dialect and a group As. name, as among the shifting but solidary divisions, that we Yana, Wintn. anid .rder on to speak of tribes. Everywhere else the only recog- nawi and Okwanuchu cuts can begin justly be true, but would be bad nizable political unit remains the small cluster of adjacent villages on these headwaters. The recognizing the authority of the same head man. Whether the hat the Okwanuchu had no Achomawi divisions, such as the l1mawi and Hantiwi, were such that they should not have unit communities, corresponding to the Porno political groups that seem to be whether n would enumerated, or comprised each several communities, there , right of visit to the district, have been ter poached on it when they is little present means of deciding. These are the divisions: Madehsi, lowest on Pit River, along the big bend; bar it. That they hunted to Achomawi, on Fall River; Ilmawi, on the south side of the Pit, opposite Fort s customary for great peaks Crook; Chumawi, in Round Valley; Atuami, in Big Valley; Hantiwi, in lower 'ting points of their several Hot Springs Valley; Astakiwi, in upper Hot Springs Valley; Hamawi, on the South Fork of Pit River. Of the several subdivisions, the Astakiwi or Astahkewa are said to have been 3LATION. named after a principal village near Canby, Astake, " hot spring." The Atuarni have also been recorded as the Tuhteumi and Hamefkuteli, though there is no g or 1() group names on 7 in Achomawi or any adjacent language. All three of the supposed synonyms ~tively to the people of may in reality refer to the people of three villages rather than to the Big asins. It is needful not Valley people as a whole. The Madehsi are called Pulsu or Pushush, " east- from acquaintance with erners," by the Wintun whom they adjoin; and the name Yucas or Yuki has e to show whether or not also been recorded for them from the same source, though without specific ethno- es united politically; in force, since Yuki means merely " foreign " or " foe " in Wintun, and in logical usage has come to be restricted to the entirely distinct people in the to reckon them as tribes. Coast Range on the other side of the Wintun. A group known as Idjuigiluindji ad not national, much as were called Akowigi by the Atsugewi. Itami seems to be a synonym for the th American peoples. It Aehomawi division. f each valley used their On the basis of speech conditions elsewhere in California, it may be sus- to it on occasion copy the pected that the Achomawi language was not identical from lower Pit River (loose Lake; but nothing is on record concerning dialectic variations. may have been only the In native parlance, Achomawi is the name only of that part of the group liv- But when they thought ing in the basin of Fall River. For what ethnologists call the Achomawi, the Particularly of those still Atsugewi generic term Pomaril, which denotes all the people speaking the same language-the H-amawi, Atuami, llmawi, and others, as well as the Aehomawi I ai&" I

308 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BrrL. 78 KIWElulltll~L .HIAN HL proper-would therefore have been a more appropriate designation. But Achomawi is so well rooted that a new term vould cause confusion. The uni- With the Atsugeiv versal local (lenonlination "Pit Rivers" is appropriate even if it is inelegant were friendly. How and without native flavor. the west and the norn The Maidu call the Achomiawi Kom-maidiiin-that is, " snow Mlaihii," more recorded. In some i literally, "snow people." The old book name Palaihnihan is sai(l to lie based in trade between the on Kliamatl-Alodoe L'alaikni or L'lailkni, "mountaineers," which may perhaps perhaps Paiute be taken as the specific name of the group in that Oregonian tongue. The Yuki farth know a few Achoinawi transplanted to Rotind Valley reservation as Shawvash, a furs down the strea] name that is of interest only in that it evidences the southward extension of received raw materia the Chinook jargon, or fragments of it, as farias northernmost California. Siwash (" sauvage") is jargon for Indian and not a Yuki or Achoniiawi wvord. The two peoples did not know of each other's existence until the Americans threw them together. become scare distance from the Sa The Achomawi population in 1910 was almost 1.000, three-fourths the nation, while the3 still full blood, according to the G(overnment's reckoning. About a tenth had drifted out of the Pit River Valley into Oregon or re- ply of by tra( mained at Round Valley Reservation. The thinness of the American the Nevada and Oreg population over their habitat has unqlllestional)Iy preserved the characteristic of mosi Achomawi in a more favorable proportion than tribes in (densely set- yond Fall River, so ti tled (listricts; so that, instead of a tenth or a fiftieth, we may reckon supply of this food al their present numbers as constituting perhaps a third or more of the abundance, however. original population. This may be set roughly at 3,001) for the and then put away in Achomawi and Atsugewi combined. as a crumbled powder IDeer can not have I WAR ANI) TRADE. the Achomawi, so thai The Modoc, and with them their taking the animal, in a close kinsmen the Klamath, tribes, is interesting. fought the Achomawi. Their proximity to northern tribes who been laborious, in exe( formerly kept slaves, and to the great intertribal market at The and baskets, was to Dalles, made the taking of slaves from the Achomawi profitable to the runways. These I these Oregonians, and stimulated them, at times, to raid for booty. tiers until abolished E The Achomawi had the usual Californian point of view: a stranger its name to Pit River; would usually be killed on principle because he was a stranger, and ing was preceded a neighbor would be attacked when he had given grievance. But by ri in other war for the fun of the game, or for gain, was foreign to their ideas, parts of nort] so that they would be actuated to retaliate against the Modoc only association of the hun by revenge; and as they scarcely even made the attempt, it is likely course or menstruation that fear tempered their desire for vengeance. Specific evidence it is not unlikely that t as to Achomawi relations with the Klamath-Modoc is, however, con- in- their maturity ce flicting. An American writer speaks of the Astakiwi and Hantiwi herbs to avoid smellin as much harried by the northerners, while the near-by Atuami were been intended chiefly a nearly exempt. Yet the Atsugewi of Hat Creek remember Modoc Ducks were snared or Klamath attacks in which women were carried off. It is not un- were often driven into likely that local feuds underlay the warfare here as elsewhere in is not referred to by ar California, and that slave raiding was a superadded and later feature, was reserved for encouraged by the introduction of the horse. We do not really know. were taken with the ha] above the water at falls [HULL~. 78 PENOLOGY I OIANTDBOOJ• 01'FINDIANS OF CALIIPlRNIA9 309 )propriate designation. But With the Atsugewi and Wintun to the southwest the Achomawi Ad cause confusion. The uni- How they stood with the Okwanuchu and Yana on )priate even if it is inelegant were friendly. the west and the northern Paiute on the east seems not to have been -that is, " snow Alaidu," more recorded. In some measure the Achomawi served as transmitters laihnihan is sai(d to he based in trade between the Sacramento Valley Wintun and the Modoc and aineers," which may perhaps perhaps Paiute farther inland. Shell beads traveled up Pit River, Oregonian tongue. The Yuki furs down the stream. As in the civilized world, the lowlanders ley reservation as Shawash, a is the southward extension of received raw materials and gave manufactures to the back peoples. as niortherlnlimost California. at a Yuki or Achoniaxyi word. FOOD. *xistence until the Americans Oaks become scarce in Achomawi territory in proportion to the distance from the Sacramento Valley, and the eastern divisions of ilmost 1,000, three-fourths the nation, while they might now and then secure a temporary sup- ent's reckoning. About a ply of acorns by trade, subsisted rather on the plant food used in ?alley into Oregon or re- the Nevada and Oregon portions of the Great Basin than on those thinness of the American characteristic of most of California. Salmon hardly ascended be- lestionably preserved the yond Fall River, so the easterly groups had to go without a regular in densely set- than tribes supply of this food also. The lower Pit River tribes got the fish in a fiftieth, we may reckon abundance, however. It was sun dried, slightly roasted or smoked, or more of the aps a third and then put away in large bark-covered baskets, either in slabs or roglloly at 3,00() for the as a crumbled powder. Deer can not have been especially abundant in the dry habitat of the Achomawi, so that their development of a particular method of taking the animal, in addition to those common to all the Californian se kinsmen the Klamath, tribes, is interesting. This device, as simple in plan as it must have 7 to northern tribes who been laborious in execution to a people operating only with sticks ntertribal market at The and baskets, was to dig concealed pits, 2 or 3 yards deep, in e Achomawi profitable to the runways. These holes, which were a great nuisance to the set- t times, to raid for booty. tlers until abolished by their edict, were numerous enough to give point of view: a stranger its name to Pit River; of which " Pitt " is a misspelling. Deer hunt- ise he was a stranger, and ing was preceded by rituals; and while the specific taboos prevalent iad given grievance. But in other parts of and designed to prevent any was foreign to their ideas, association of the hunt, the animal, or its flesh with sexual inter- te against the Modoe onl y course or menstruation, have not been mentioned for the AcbiomaNN i, de the attempt, it is likely it is not unlikely that they were also observed. Adolescent girls dur- seance. Specific evidence maturity ceremony stuffed their nostrils with fragrant th-Modoc is, however, con- ing their meat. This precaution may have the Astakiwi and Hantiwi herbs to avoid smelling cooking been intended chiefly as regards . > the near-by Atuami were it Creek remember Modoe Ducks were snared in nooses stretched across streams. Rabbits net of the northwest carried off. It is not un- were often driven into nets. The large lifting -fare here as elsewhere in is not referred to by any writer among the Achomawi. The dip net peradded and later feature. was reserved for trout and suckers in the small streams. Salmon ;e. We do not really know. were taken with the harpoon., by seines, or in nets and cratings hung above the water at falls and dams. There may have been some ani- I MENNEENEIr-

KRtEB5R] HANDB( 310 BUREAU O' AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY LBULb. 78 A deerskin with mals whose meat was not eaten, but none have been mentioned ex- a hol after the sides had beE cept the domestic dog-the most powerful poison known to all the belted. Buckskin leg Indians of northern California. Salt was avoided as causing sore were known. The cc eyes, a statement scarcely to be credited except on the assumption tule stuffed with gras& that, the supply being scant, over-indulgence was viewed with dis- also favored. We hav( favor. able east of the INDUSTRIES. Rock blance is an apron-like Achomawi basketry is of the twined type common to all northern- clout. California scar most California and southern Oregon. At its best it is not quite so Women's dress was well made as the finest Ilupa and Yurok ware. The technique is gown or bodice, it is re identical and the materials appear to be so. Achomawi baskets are seem to be an abbrevia softer and average somewhat higher in proportion to diameter, and From the hips down, i their pattern in consequence is less frequently disposed in a single rate skirt. Or this mi~ horizontal band. The shapes rather approximate those of Modoc Californian type. Le, baskets, but the Modoc reliance on tule as a material is not an cap added further Pac Achomawi trait. Nearly all baskets in collections are solidly cov- Both men's and women ered with the white overlay of Xerophyllum. This may, however, decorated with porcupine- mean that they are trade articles and that the Achomawi of to-day this something simpler th no longer cook in baskets, since the overlay stains when wet for a Plains women lavished up ern time, and is used only as a sparing pattern by the Yurok on baskets influence must be ac influence, probably, from t meant to hold water or to boil in. Or it may be that the difference less contact, at least afte is old and connected with the scarcity of acorns and comparative with the Sahaptin tribes, nonuse of gruel among the Achomawi. ments from the Plains. T Other affiliations in material arts to the focus of the northwest- dery, and not infrequently esting, however, that ern civilization are seen in the sinew-backed bow, only slightly less thou eastern gateway to Califoi flat than among the Yurok; in the long body armor of hard elk or farther, even in fragments. hide; the waistcoat armor of slender sticks wrapped together; and in the occurrence of the Yurok and Shasta type of guessing- Tattooing was slight game implement by the side of the Maidu form. Dugout canoes of which are but a slende or cedar were made, but lacked the characteristic details as well the northwestern wom as the finish of the Yurok redwood boats. They were longer, nar- Yuki and Wailaki sty] rower, scarcely modeled, and little more than punts for poling. They for insertion of a deni approximated the Modoc canoe, but without the thinness of wall a Yana, Karok, and Te that made the latter a notable achievement in spite of its lack of shape. Sacramento Valley influences showed themselves in the oc- c(asional use of the rush raft. In trading, the Acho] Maidu and other central Californian resemblances are manifest in it may be inferred that the undecorated mush paddle, the crude bone spoon, the yellow- Californian shell disks, hammer forehead bands for dancing and shaman's operations, and in the fact of the double half game being a woman's activity.

DRESS. The summers were sj windbreak of brush oi Achomawi dress was not only of buckskin but included a sort of house was of bark, with coat or shirt, which, however rude, is a quite un-Californian idea. KRhOEBER] HAXDBOOK OF INDIANS OF CALTFORNIA 811 INOLOGY [BuLb. 78 A deerskin with a hole cut in the middle was slipped over the head have been mentioned ex- after the sides had been sewn together below the armholes, and then poison known to all the belted. Buckskin leggings, with fringes, were not common, but avoided as causing sore were known. The commonest moccasin was of openwork twined :xcept on the assumption tule stuffed with grass, but in dry weather deerskin moccasins were ice was viewed with dis- also favored. We have here the essential articles of the dress fashion- tble east of the Rocky Mountains. The only Pacific coast resem- blance is an apron-like kilt, which substituted for the eastern breech- comnmnon to all northern- clout. California scarcely knows the latter. its best it is not quite so Women's dress was more of a compromise. They wore a short ware. The technique is gown or bodice, it is reported, much like that of the men. This would . Achomavi baskets are seem to be an abbreviation of the usual woman's dress of the Plains. oportion to diameter, and From the hips down, a wrapping of deerskin formed a sort of sepa. -ntly disposed in a single rate skirt. Or this might be replaced by a fringed apron of northern roximate those of Modoc Californian type. Leggingless buckskin moccasins and a basketry as a material is not an cap added further Pacific coast features to this hybrid attire. [llections are solidly cov- Both men's and women's garments are spoken of as having been sometimes 'tun. This may, however, decorated with porcupine-quill embroidery. It is necessary to understand by ,the Achomawi of to-day this something simpler than the tasteful and showy ornamentation which the but a specific east- a Plains women lavished upon nearly all their skin articles; ay stains when wet for ern Influence must be admitted nevertheless. The Achomawi received this i by the Yurok on baskets influence, probably, from the Klamath and Modoc, who in turn were in more or nay be that the difference less contact, at least after horses were introduced into the Columbia Valley, e acorns and comparative with the Sahaptin tribes, whose culture was superficially encrusted with ele- ments from the Plains. The Modoc seem to have used some porcupine embroi- dery, and not infrequently introduced quills into their basket caps. It is inter- e focus of the northwest- esting, however, that though this eastern influence penetrated into the north- ced bow, only slightly less eastern gateway to California which the Achomawi occupied, it did not travel )ody armor of hard elk or farther, even in fragments. sticks wrapped together; Tattooing was slight. The women had three lines under the mouth, Shasta type of guessing- which are but a slender remnant of the almost solidly blue chin of i form. Dugout canoes of the northwestern women; and added a few lines on the cheek in details as well iaracteristic Yuki and Wailaki style. Men had the septum of the nose pierced They were longer, nar- for insertion of a or other ornament. This is also an puints for poling. They a Yana, Karok, and practice. hout the thinness of wall lnt in spite of its lack of MONEY. )wed themselves in the oc- In trading, the Achomawi are said to have used beads, from which semblances are manifest in it may be inferred that while they had dentalia as well as the central bone spoon, the yellow- Californian shell disks, the latter were their principal currency. I shaman's operations, and DWELLINGS. a woman's activity. The summers were spent in the open, under a shade or behind a windbreak of brush or mats. The ordinary permanent or winter ;kin but included a sort of house was of bark, without earth covering, and little else than a slop- quite un-Californian idea. 312 2BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [DUT.L 78 &ROEBLH] 11AND1300 ing roof over a shallow excavation. It has no northwestern affini- ties except the quadrilateral shape: the bark house of the central tribes was conical. The size, too, was not northwestern: only 8 by Little is known of tHi 12 feet or less. The most distinctive feature was a deliberate depar- the purchase side of tl ture from rectangular form, the southern end being wider than the the bride's home for a for her relatives, northern by the breadth of the included door. The two door posts then us matched a single post in the middle of the opposite end. The ridge the reality of what has pole consequently was double also. The narrow triangular space moon. The custom ind distinguished at all, it between the ridge poles, or part of it, was left open for a smoke hole. that a chief was usual] The so-called "sweat house," which was primarily a dance house, the same direction. Bel chief's home, or dwelling for several families, was like the ordinary ,trictions and seclUsion house except so far as its greater size, up to 20 by 30 feet or so, tuntil the en(l of their enforced modifications. The most important of these was a center pair of twins w'as dest( post, without which no Indian of the The widow, as all th northern half of California would have hair. She smeared the thought a ceremonially used house com- face. She also wore a plete. This was set not in the exact middle, a-nd a carefully made be but about two-thirds of the way from the, ment mig-ht be left on f * broader front end. The roof was supported grown to the upper ai by two rafters laid transversely from the brother. center post to the sides, and by two others There is some conflici reaching from these two to the door posts b)tt it seems that they we (Fig. 25). A second feature which proves side, facing east, and if this structure to have been essentially a used for those who died form of the central Californian ceremonial In either event, the dea chamber, was the earth roof; the bark of of his relatives, wvent M Fl',, 25. - Achomnwi large the living house was replaced by a layer of house, skeleton plan. poles and brush. Finally, the smoke hole was no funeral dance probably replaced the door as the normal entrance, the door being kept as a draft hole. There is some doubt on this point, but as the closely allied Atsugewi favored the entrance and exit by the roof, Ceremonies \\ere sligl and since this is a frequent north central Californian practice, it is pre\vails over most of C hardly likely that the Achomawi diverged materially on a point to with the seeking of sha: which so much significance was attached in custom. The ladder is aroun(l the head of a stated to have been made of two poles with crossbars tied on by doctors' initiation danc withes, a surprising fact-although mentioned also for the Maidu- lacking; and( of anythiji since the ladder of both northwestern and central California is a of the go(ls, there was I notched log. The " sweat house " was dug out about a yard. Some mon ceremony. sur-gest villages contained more than one of these large structures. 0(ld men fasted in ordet In the recent period the Achomawi used the small steam-heated and children ate out of sweat house of the Plains. It came to them from the Klamath and are known. MIodoc, who in turn perhaps derived it from the Warm Springs and The ceremonial numb Umatilla groups farther north. use was not stron(g. NOLOGY [Bur~r,. 78 lilLkBLB] 7HANDBOOK O1' INDIANS OF CALIFORŽURNIA 313

3 no northwestern affini- SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS. .rk house of the central Little is known of the formalities of marriage or the rigidity of northwestern: only 8 by the purchase side of the arrangements. The bridegroom lived in was a deliberate depar- the bride's home for a short time, hunting and otherwise working nd being wider than the for her relatives, then usually took her to his people. This is perhaps ior. The two door posts the realIty of what has been described as a sort of customary honey- )pposite end. The ridge moon. The custom indicates that so far as priority of descent was iarrow triangular space listinguished at all, it was reckoned in the male line. A statement ft open for a smoke hole. that a chief was usually succeeded by his own eldest son points in rimarily a dance house, the same direction. Betrothal of children was frequent. Food re- s, was like the ordinary strictions anld seclusion were prescribed for both husband and wife to 20 by 30 feet or so, until the end of their babe's umbilical cord fell off. One of each at of these was a center pair of twins was destroye(l at birth. ,ich no Indian of the The widow, as all through northernmost California, cropped her California would have hlair. She smeared the stubble with pitch, and added more on her nially used house com- face. She also wore a thong with lumps of pitch around her neck, not in the exact middle, and a carefully made belt of the hair she had cut. All this disfigure- ds of the way from the nient mighlit be left on for two or three years. After her hair had re- The roof was supported grown to the upper arm, the widow married her dead husband's 3 transversely from the brother. sides, and by two others There is some conflict of information as to disposal of the dead. He two to the door posts butt it seems that they were normally buried, in flexed position, on the nd feature which proves side, facing east, and if possible in a large basket. Cremation was have been essentially a uised for those who died at a distance, and the ashes buried at home. I Californian ceremonial In either event, the dead person's belongings! increase(l by offerings earth roof; the bark of of his relatives, Avent with him, and his loimse was bturned. There is replaced by a layer of was no funeral dlance or anniversary mourning, ceremlony. Finally, the smoke hole Entrance, the door being RITUAL. on this point, but as the ~e and exit by the roof, Ceremonies \ere slight and few: the girl's adolescence ritual that !alifornian practice, it is prevails over most of California: a p)lihert\ rite for boys connected materially on a point to with the seeking of shamanistic power; and the victory (lance, made custom. The ladder is aroun(l the head of a foe with women participating. Even the th crossbars tied on by doctors' initiation dance, so prevalent in northern California, wvas Led also for the Maidu- lacking; anzd of anything like an esoteric society or impersonations of the gods, there was not a trace. central California is a There is mention of a first sal- )ut about a yard. Some mon ceremony. slm-westive of the northwestern new year's rituals. Old men fasted in order to increase the run of the fish, while women 3rge structures. and children ate out of sight of the river. But no further details the small steam-heated are known. 1 from the Klamath and The ceremonial number appears to be five, but the tendency to its L the Warm Springs and use was not strong. 314 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY LBULL. 78 KXIOEBER] HANDBOC A girl in the physical condition that mark,,s the threshold to womanhood had her ears pierced by her father or other relative. She was then lifted, dropped, that it had taken upoi and struck with an old basket and ran off, her father praying to the mountains tributed to the guardi In her behalf. In the evening she returned with a load of wood-symbolic, like made to tell a shaman the basket, of her career-built a fire before the house, and danced back and it is true, have better r forth by it all night, accompanied by some of her relatives. Others might be the Shasta or the Yur( dancing in the house. The singing was to a rattle of deer hoofs. Deer meat, in fact all meat and fish, were, however, strictly taboo to her, and to prevent her- rather than in shaman self even from smelling them cooking she stuffed scented herbs into her nostrils. by concepts of the anin In the morning, having been lifted up and dropped again, she ran off as before, A special feature of AC} but with the deer-hoof rattle. This was done for five (lays and nights. After the a bunch of feathers growl] last night she returned quickly from her run, was sprinkled with leaves, and secured, dripping constant bathed. This ended the ceremony for the time, though it was repeated on the sick, consults it as an on two following occasions. pains, and obtains from i The boy's puberty rite runs along parallel lines, but adds an element that is destruction. It is possible akin to the seeking of shamanistic power by eastern tribes. As soon as the which through most of C ears are pierced, the boy is struck with a bowstring and runs off, to fast and special supernal virtue, a bathe all night in a lake or spring while his father ('alls to the mountains and abundantly interspersed ai to the Deer Woman to Nvatch him. In the morning he returns, lighting fires on the way, eats a little without entering the house, and goes off again. In this way several nights are spent in the solitude of the hills. Besides making ftres. he piles up stones and drinks through It reed to keep his teeth from contact Achomawi mytholog with water. In the pond on the first night he may see an animal, which becomes mal organization and: his personal protector, or he may dream iof it. But not all boys have this vision which makes them doctors. but lacks something ol systems in having an SHAMANISM. maker of the world, in A shaman's power rests ultimately upon the protecting animal or The northwestern tone spirit sought and acquired at puberty; but a shaman's business, both without a compensatin malevolent and beneficent, at least so far as disease is concerned, is with the " pains "; minute, animate, and motile objects of nonhuman shape. Sickness is caused by pains which have been snapped or shot Achomawi culture m at people by hostile shamans. The Curing doctor frequently swallows of the elementary gro the pain after extracting or catching it. All these beliefs as to pains fornian civilization, b are typical of the northwestern tribes. There were women doctors, vanced specializations as in the northwest, but men on the whole had greater powers. peculiar social attitud Pains grow ferocious after causing a death, and the shainman who has sent one and as being infiltrate out is under particular care to catch and subdue it. lest he fall its next victini. Plains, influences, whiz Sometimes a pain will be sent against a village instead of a person. It then Columbia River than I buries itself in the ground near the settlement, spreading disease ahout. until found, extracted, and made harmless, or, like an nnexploded grenalde, dispatched on a return missive of death. Disease, it appears, is as wholly due to shaman- istic power as is cure. The doctor is not a protector against the miscellaneous The Atsugewi, the si forces of evil, but himself the dispenser of death as well as life. That killing three medium-sized st was frequently resorted to when reprisal by magic failed or was beyond reach Burney Creek, Hat Ci follows naturally; and even a doctor who had lost enough of his own friends tinder his treatment was under so dark a cloud as to run much r sk of being mouths of these strear murdered. With his death, all his controlled pains died, too. were in Achomawi ter It is clear that, as among the tribes to the west, the idea of the tween the three creeks " pain" was so vividly held and fully worked out by the Achomawi east, probably includir NOLOG Y [ B ULL. 78 K TOEBERI HANDBOOK OF INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA 315 threshold to womanhood had ;he wvas then lifted. dropped, that it had taken upon itself many of the functions elsewhere at- er praying to the mountains tributed to the guardian spirit. Thus an extracted pain can be loa(l of wood-symbolic, like made to tell a shaman who it was that sent it. The Achomawi, house, and (lanced back and it is true, have better preserved the idea of the familiar spirit than relatives. Others might be the Shasta or the Yurok; but it appears to be preserved in theory of (leer hoofs. Deer meat, In o to her, and to prevent her- rather than in shamanistic practice, which is pervaded throughout ented herbs into her nostrils. by concepts of the animate pain object. again, she ran off as before, A special feature of Achomawi shamanism is a sort of fetish called kaku, e days and nights. After the a bunch of feathers growing in remote places, rooted in the world, and when ;prinkled with fir leaves, and secured, dripping constant blood. The doctor uses his kaku In treating the ough it was repeated on the sick, consults it as an oracle in locating the bodily hiding place of foreign pains, and obtains from it his own pains that are to travel on errands of but adds an element that is destruction. It is possible that the kaku is a modification of the cocoon rattle, :ern tribes. As soon as the which through most of California was specifically a shaman's implement of ng and runs off, to fast and special supernal virtue, and which not infrequently had feathers lightly or r calls to the mountains and abundantly interspersed among its rattles. lie returns, lighting fires on tind goes off again. In this MYTHOLOGY. hills. Besides making atres, keep his teeth from contact Achomawi mythology is of central Californian type in its for- ee an animal, which becomes not all boys have this vision mal organization and recognition of dual and contrasting creators, but lacks something of the spirituality of the Maidu and Wintun systems in having an animal, the Silver Fox, as the planner and maker of the world, in place of a more anthropic and remote deity. the protecting animal or The northwestern tone is entirely lacking from Achomawi myths, i shaman's business, both without a compensating distinctive character of their own. i disease is concerned, is PLACE OF THE CULTURE. tile objects of nonhuman ive been snapped or shot Achomawi culture may be described as possessing nearly as much )ctOr frequently swallows of the elementary groundwork of northwestern as of central Cali- I these beliefs as to pains fornian civilization, but without any of the refinements and ad- ere were women doctors, vanced specializations of the former and without the flavor of the JI greater powers. peculiar social attitudes of the great north Pacific coast culture, -the shaman who has sent one and as being infiltrated with eastern, perhaps in part specifically .lest he fall its next victim. Plains, influences, which seem to have come in more-by way of the nstead of a person. It then Columbia River than through the Shoshoneans of the Great Basin. ireading disease about. until explolded grenade, dispatched THE ATSUGEWI. is as wholly due to shaman- or against the miscellaneous The Atsugewi, the sixth and last of the Shastan groups, lived on is well as life. That killing three medium-sized streams draining northward into Pit River: faifled or was beyond reach Burney Creek, Hat Creek, and Dixie Valley or Horse t enough of his own friends Creek. The to run iluch risk of being mouths of these streams, like all the banks of the Pit River itself, died, too. were in Achomawi territory. The rather unfavorable stretches be- he west, the idea of the tween the three creeks; the territory to some distance to the south- ed out by the Achomawi east, probably including the region of Eagle Lake; and the higher KRo0sLRl 11ANDBo0 316 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL. 78 Private or family owner country south to and to the watershed between the Pit except for a few claims t1 and Feather Rivers were used by the Atsugewi for hunting and the eagles' nests, the right to collecting of vegetable foods. They lay claim to having owned Susan The ghost dance of 1870 River about as far down as Susanville, and Horse Lake east of Eagle northern Yana, who derive Lake-territories which on Plate 1 have been credited to the Maidu mitted it eastward to the The dead were buried, s and Northern Paiute, respectively. The neighbors of the Achomawi is a tradition that corpses on the south were the Maidu, on their north the Achomawi, to the crevices and covered with east the Northern Paiute, and on the west the Yana. There were clear whether this is autl Achomawi farther down on Pit River than the entrances of the it refers to the Atsugewi Atsugewi streams, but the distance in this direction from the The summer or campini support of four poles tiei Atsugewi to the uppermost Wintun was not great. ameter, was occupied by tl Atsugewi or Atsugei is either their own name for themselves or that which the Achomawi apply to them. In the former case it probably referred only to the inhabitants of Hat Creek Valley; in the latter and more probable event- the ending -w" occurs on most Achomawi group designations where Atsugewi has -imp the name may have been that of the whole people. But Adwanuhdji has also been cited as the Achomawi designation of the entire Atsugewi mass. The resident whites, at any rate, class them all together as Hat Creeks. The Yana call them Chunoya or Chunoyana. Among themselves, the Burney Valley people were the Wamari'l, those of Dixie Valley the Apwarukei, while the specific name of those on the larger and middle stream, Hat Creek, is not known. Among the Achomawi, Apaniadji denoted the Burney, Amidji or Amitsi the Dixie, and Hadiuwi the Hat Creek division. Pakamali or Bakamali has also been cited as the Achomawi name of this last division. FiGc. 26.-Atsugewi cradle, The population by the census of 1910 was not quite 250, nine-tenths (Compare I'l. 35.) of them still full blood. This purity has been maintained through ing by the men of the s( the fortune of a sparse American settlement. out each time. They were friendly with the Northeastern Maidu of Big Meadows Sweat houses as such a and with most of the Yana, but possessed the repute of bravery. ments or camps. They v by a fire. The eastern s All that is known of Atsugewi customs and beliefs points to their troduced among the Atsu practical identity with those of the Achomawi. The following are IDeerskin clothing was s the chief known items of discrepancy or corroboration. hip-length leggings and either a skirt from waist The Atsugewi made the usual central Californian headband of yellow-ham- It is, however, specified mer quills. It was worn by shamans in doctoring. The Achomawi used this ornament less or only sporadically. The former observed some sort of rudi- winter. The ordlinary v mentary mourning dance, in which the dead man's weapons were carried twined into a mat; the and dust was thrown up by handfuls. This seems, however, to have been a weather and contented I ceremony at the time of funeral, not a commemoration. The shaman's kaku casins were worn mostl: was used as by the Achomawi. winter use, the latter hi To the Achomawi practice of a widow wearing her severed hair as a belt, was made by winding a the Atsugewi added the reciprocal custom of a man cutting his, though the These devices reflect the belt made from it was put on by a female relative and not by himself. of the coldest inhabited v

The first deer killed during the camping season was eaten clean up without XThis and the following n, remnants or waste in order to please the mountain, which would then provide more deer. HANDBOOK OF INDIANS OF CALIFORNIA 317 INOLOGY [BULL. 78 SILOFABLKJ Private or family ownership in land or Tatershed between the Pit its products is denied by the Atsugewi except for a few claims to particular patches of edible roots or seeds, and to gewi for hunting and the eagles' nests, the right to take from which went from father to son.' m to having owned Susan The ghost dance of 1870-1872 came to the Atsugewi from the west, from the Horse Lake east of Eagle northern Yana, who derived it from the northern Wintun. The Atsugewi trans- ,en credited to the Maidu mitted it eastward to the Fall River Achomawi. ighbors of the Achomawi The dead were buried, so far as direct memory of the living extends. There is a tradition that corpses were originally cremated, subsequently put into rock th the Achomawi, to the crevices and covered with stones, and only in latter times interred. It is not the Yana. There were clear whether this is authentic tradition or mythical speculation, nor whether tan the entrances of the it refers to the Atsugewi or other groups. this direction from the The summer or camping house was of cedar-bark slabs, leaned on a conical t great. support of four poles tied near the top. One recent example, 16 feet in di- ameter, was occupied by three married couples and three children. for themselves or that which The permanent or winter house was oval, with an B it probably referred only to entrance passage at one end and a main post nearer r and more probable event- the opposite end. From this post three diagonal lesignations where Atsugewi supports ran down to the rear and sides, while a ole people. But Adwanuhdji pair of longcr beams, laid parallel or nearly so, of the entire Atsugewi mass. sloped gently to the door lintel. Between them, in ogether as Hat Creeks. The front of the main post and above the tire, was the trapezoidal smoke hole, which also served as roof were the Wamari'l, those of door. The skeleton of the house was laid over with ne of those on the larger and bark and had earth put on. Money beads were ig the Achomawi, Apainadji planted and a prayer spoken before the main post and Hadiuwi the Hat Creek was set. The house owner obtained the chief's ap- ited as the Achomawi name proval before construction; several families lived under his roof. A house still standing measures 22 not quite 250, nine-tenths (Compare Pl 35.) feet in greatest diameter. Chiefs' houses were larger. They were used in winter for joint sweat- been maintained through ing by the men of the settlement, the women and children taking themselves t. out each time. i Maidu of Big Meadows Sweat houses as such are said to have been made only in the summer settle- e repute of bravery. ments or camps. They were small, earth-covered, and heated with steam, not by a fire. nd beliefs points to their The eastern sweat house of blankets over a frame was in- troduced among the Atsugewi within the recollection of middle-aged people. Lawi. The following are l)eerskin clothing was similar to that described for the Shasta and Achomawi roboration. hip-length leggings and a shirt with open sleeves for men, and(] for women an headband of yellow-ham- either a skirt from waist to knee or a sleeveless gown from shoulder to knee. ,. The Achomawi used this It is, however, specified that this was the costume of the well-to-do, worn in observed some sort of rudi- Nvinter. The ordinary woman's skirt was rolled or bundled bast, sewvi or ian's weapons were carried twined into a mat; the poor man tied a tule mat about Uis trunk in cold as, however, to have been a weather and contented himself with a knee-length tule legging. Tule moc- ,ration. The shaman's kaku casins were worn mostly by women, three-piece deerskin ones by men; for winter use, the latter had the hair left on the inner side. A sort of glove her severed hair as a belt, was made by winding a strip of rabbit fur about palm, wrist, and forearm. nan cutting his, though the These devices reflect the fact that the Achomawi and Atsugewi habitat was one * and not by himself. of the coldest inhabited winter tracts in California. (Fig. 26.) was eaten clean up without 1 This and the following notes are from data obtained by E. Golonislmtok in 1922. a, which would then provide

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