Kumeyaay facts for kids
The Kumeyaay are a group of Native American people who have lived for a very long time in parts of what is now the United States and Mexico. Their traditional lands are in California, especially around San Diego, and in Baja California. The Kumeyaay are made up of two main groups: the Ipai and the Tipai. The Ipai traditionally lived in the area that is now the United States, while the Tipai mostly lived in what is now Mexico.
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What Does "Kumeyaay" Mean?
The word Kumeyaay is said like "KOOM-yai." The "KOOM" part sounds like "loom," and the "yai" part sounds like "pie." Sometimes, people say it with an extra "uh" sound in the middle.
For a long time, some people called the Kumeyaay "Diegueño." This name came from the Spanish Mission San Diego. However, this is not the name the Kumeyaay people use for themselves.
Ipai and Tipai Names
The two main groups of Kumeyaay are called Ipai (pronounced "EE-pie") and Tipai (pronounced "TEE-pie"). Both of these names mean "human" in their own languages.
Kumeyaay Languages
The Kumeyaay people traditionally speak three different languages: Tipai, Ipai, and Kumeyaay. Today, most Kumeyaay people also speak English or Spanish.
History of the Kumeyaay
In the 1760s, people from Spain arrived on Kumeyaay land. They wanted to teach the Kumeyaay about the Christian religion and the European way of life. To do this, they built the Mission San Diego. This mission was like a church, a school, and a village all in one place.
However, the Kumeyaay people did not like being told what to do or having their way of life changed. In 1775, the Kumeyaay fought against the Spanish at Mission San Diego. They set some buildings on fire and a priest was killed.
Changes in Land Ownership
Later, when part of the Kumeyaay land became part of Mexico, the missions did not receive money to keep running. Because of this, many Kumeyaay people left the missions.
When another part of Kumeyaay land became part of the United States, the Kumeyaay were asked to live on special areas of land called reservations. Today, many of these reservations have casinos. These casinos help the Kumeyaay people earn money for their communities.
Kumeyaay Religion
Most Kumeyaay people today are Catholic. Many parts of their traditional religion were forgotten after they became Catholic. However, some parts of their old beliefs are still remembered.
In the traditional Kumeyaay religion, it was believed that after a person died, their soul had to cross a very deep gorge to reach heaven.
Images for kids
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An old drawing of a Kumeyaay person from 1857.
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The Kumeyaay people were moved from their homes to build the El Capitan Reservoir.
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The Barona Resort Hotel, located on a Kumeyaay reservation.
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The Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, part of traditional Kumeyaay land.
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Examples of Kumeyaay items.
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The frame of a traditional Kumeyaay home, called an ‘ewaa.
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A Kumeyaay coiled basket, made in the 19th century by Celestine Lachapa. It is now at the San Diego Museum of Us.
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A Kumeyaay willow storage basket at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California cultural museum in Mexicali.
See also
In Spanish: Kumiai para niños
