Choinumni facts for kids
The Choinumni are one of the many groups of Yokuts people. The Yokuts are Native American tribes who have lived for a very long time in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The Choinumni specifically lived along the Kings River.
Their way of life is well-known because of a man named Thomas Jefferson Mayfield. He was raised by the Choinumni people from the 1850s until 1861. He lived in a village on the south bank of the Kings River, near where Sycamore Creek joins it, close to what is now Trimmer, California. The Choinumni spoke their own special language, called the Choynimni language.
Contents
Who Were the Choinumni People?
The Choinumni were part of the larger Yokuts family of tribes. These tribes lived in the central part of California, in a large valley called the San Joaquin Valley. This valley was a rich place with many resources for them to live.
Where Did the Choinumni Live?
The Choinumni people made their homes along the Kings River. This river was very important to them. It provided water, fish, and supported the plants and animals they needed for food and shelter. Their villages were often built near the riverbanks.
How Did They Live?
Like other Yokuts tribes, the Choinumni were skilled at living off the land. They gathered acorns, which were a very important food source, and hunted animals like deer and rabbits. They also fished in the Kings River. They built homes from natural materials and created tools and baskets for daily life. Their culture was rich with traditions, stories, and ceremonies that connected them to their land and each other.
What Language Did They Speak?
The Choinumni spoke the Choynimni language. This language is a dialect, or a specific version, of the wider Yokuts language family. Languages are a big part of a culture, helping people share stories, knowledge, and traditions across generations.
