Oketo, California facts for kids
Opyuweg was on the other side of this tree-covered promontory.
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| Alternative name | Oketo, Chwaltaike (Hupa) |
|---|---|
| Part of | Big Lagoon County Park |
| History | |
| Builder | The Ner-'er-'ner people. |
| Abandoned | before 1909 |
| Cultures | Yurok Ner-'er-'ner |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | no traces visible |
| Management | County of Humboldt |
| Public access | yes |
Opyuweg (also known as Oketo) was an important village of the Yurok people in what is now Humboldt County, California. It was located near a large body of water called Big Lagoon. Today, there are no visible signs of the village left.
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The Ancient Village of Opyuweg
Opyuweg was one of the largest Yurok settlements along the coast. The Yurok people who lived along the coast called themselves the Ner-'er-'ner. Those who lived further upriver were known as the Pue-lik-lo' or Polikla.
Different Names for the Village
Experts have different ideas about the exact names for the village and the nearby lagoon.
- Some believe the village was called Opyuweg. The Hupa people, another Native American tribe, called it Chwaltaike.
- Others think the lagoon itself was named Oketo, and the village was also sometimes called Oketo.
- A Yurok writer named Chenahwah Weitchahwah (also known as Lucy Thompson) used the name Ah-ca-tah when talking about a religious spot, but it's not clear if she meant the village or the lagoon.
Where Was Opyuweg Located?
The village was located on the southern shore of Big Lagoon. One expert, T. T. Waterman, pinpointed Opyuweg as being west of a southern piece of land that sticks out into the lagoon.
Important Ceremonies
Opyuweg was a very important place for the Yurok people. A major religious ceremony called Wah-neck-wel-ah-gaw was performed there twice a year. This ceremony was also held in other Yurok villages like Orick, Reck-woy, and Pec-wan. These ceremonies were a big part of the Yurok culture and traditions.
