Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians facts for kids
 |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 67 enrolled members | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (California) | |
| Languages | |
| Kumeyaay, English | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity (Roman Catholicism) |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Kumeyaay tribes, Cocopa, Quechan, Paipai and Kiliwa |
The Manzanita Band of Diegueño Mission Indians is a Native American tribe. They are part of the Kumeyaay people. The U.S. government officially recognizes them as a tribe. This means they have a special relationship with the government. They are also sometimes called Mission Indians.
Contents
Kumeyaay Culture and Traditions
The Manzanita Band shares its rich culture with other Kumeyaay groups. Their customs and traditions have been passed down for many generations. They gather together for both happy celebrations and sad times.
The Power of Kumeyaay Songs
Songs are a very important part of Kumeyaay culture. They tell stories about how to live and survive. These songs hold the wisdom of the Kumeyaay people. Two well-known types of songs are the Bird Songs and the Eagle Dance.
Traditional Social Structure
The Kumeyaay people organized themselves into groups called shiimull. A shiimull was like a large family group. It was led by leaders called kwaaypaays. When the Spanish arrived in 1769, there were many shiimull groups. Each one had about 5 to 15 family units.
Food and Daily Life
The Kumeyaay were very skilled at finding and growing food. They would gather wild plants and hunt animals depending on the season. They also planted crops like corn, beans, and squash. They grew medicinal herbs for healing. Their diet included fresh fruits, berries, pine nuts, and acorns.
The Kumeyaay were also known for their amazing basket weaving. They had advanced ways of farming and raising animals. They even built dams to store water. They also worked to prevent soil erosion and control plant growth.
Manzanita Reservation
The Manzanita Reservation is a special area of land. It is located in the southern Laguna Mountains of San Diego County, California. The reservation is about 10 miles (16 km) north of the U.S.-Mexico Border. It is also 67 miles (108 km) east of the city of San Diego.
History of the Reservation
The reservation was created in 1893. It started with 640 acres of land. In 1907, more land was added to it. Today, the reservation is about 3,579 acres (14.48 km²) in size. The U.S. government holds the land in a "trust." This means the government technically owns the land. However, it is held for the benefit of the Manzanita Band.
Life on the Reservation
In 1973, only 6 out of 69 enrolled members lived on the reservation. Today, there are about 67 to 69 people living there. The Manzanita Reservation is next to the Campo Indian Reservation and the La Posta Indian Reservation. Nearby towns include Boulevard and Campo.
Kumeyaay Reservations Today
There are 13 small Kumeyaay reservations in San Diego County, California. There are also 4 Kumiai tribal communities in northern Baja California state, Mexico.
Education
Students on the Manzanita Reservation attend schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District.
