Cahuilla Band of Indians facts for kids
John Tortes "Chief" Meyers, Major League Baseball catcher and tribal member
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|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 154 (est.) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Cahuilla language | |
| Religion | |
| Indigenous religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism) |
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| Related ethnic groups | |
| Cahuilla tribes |
The Cahuilla Band of Indians is a Native American tribe. They are officially recognized by the United States government. This tribe lives in Southern California. Long ago, their people lived in places like the Coachella Valley and the San Jacinto Mountains. In 1875, they moved to where the town of Anza is today.
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The Cahuilla Reservation
The Cahuilla people live on the Cahuilla Reservation. It is in Riverside County, close to Anza. The reservation includes the area called Cahuilla, California. This is where the Cahuilla Casino is located.
The reservation was created in 1875. It covers about 18,884 acres (76.4 square kilometers). Most of this land, about 16,884 acres, is owned by individual tribal members. The remaining 2,000 acres belong to the entire tribe together.
How the Tribe Supports Itself
The Cahuilla tribe runs several businesses. These businesses help support the tribe and its members.
Cahuilla Casino
The tribe owns the Cahuilla Casino. It first opened in 1996. A brand new casino and hotel replaced the old one in May 2020. This new building offers more space and features for visitors.
Mountain Sky Travel Center
The tribe also owns the Mountain Sky Travel Center. This is a convenience store and gas station. It opened in 2015. Both the casino and the travel center are located in Cahuilla, California.
Important People from the Cahuilla Tribe
Many people from the Cahuilla tribe have achieved great things. Here are a few:
- Chief Meyers (1880–1971) was a professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball.
- Gerald Clarke (born 1967) is a talented artist and a professor.
Culture and Traditions
The Cahuilla tribe has a rich history and many traditions. These traditions have been passed down through generations.
The Origin Story
The Cahuilla people have a special story about how the world began. It tells of two brothers, Mukat and Tamaoit. They helped create the sky, the sea, and the rules for the land. Each brother had a different idea for how humans should look.
Tamaoit took his human creations to the underworld. Mukat stayed on Earth. Some of Mukat's creations were burned. They scattered across the world, each speaking a different language. Only one person spoke the same language as Mukat. Mukat named this person the first ancestor of the Cahuilla people.
Mukat also created a path to the afterlife. This path had moving hills around it. Good people could pass safely to the afterlife. But bad people would be crushed by the hills. They would turn into small creatures like insects.
Language and Communication
The Cahuilla language comes from the Uto-Aztecan language family. In 1990, only about 35 people still spoke the original language. Today, the tribe works hard to keep their language and culture alive. They do this through songs, games, and stories.
Bird Singing
One important song tradition is called bird singing. Different tribes gather to sing various songs. In the past, bird singing helped people find partners for marriage. Now, it is a way for old friends and relatives to come together.
Basket Weaving
Basket weaving is another important tradition. People gather to weave different kinds of baskets. Older generations teach these ancient skills to younger people. This helps to pass down thousands of years of tradition.
Funeral Ceremonies
The Cahuilla also have special funeral ceremonies. When someone passes away, loved ones are buried. Songs are sung all night long. The funeral ceremony lasts for seven days. Close family members of the person who died do not take part in joyful traditions, like dancing, for a year.
