Tamien people facts for kids
Map of historical Tamyen territory
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| Regions with significant populations | |
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| Santa Clara Valley, California | |
| Languages | |
| Tamyen language |
The Tamien people (also called Tamyen or Thamien) are a group of Native Americans from Northern California. They are part of the larger Ohlone (Costanoan) people. The Tamien traditionally lived in the Santa Clara Valley.
The name "Tamien" was first used around 1777. It comes from the Ohlone name for the area where the first Mission Santa Clara was built. This mission was located on the Guadalupe River. A priest named Father Pena wrote that the local people called the area Thamien. The mission was built on January 17, 1777, at a village called So-co-is-u-ka.
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Tamien Language
The Tamien people traditionally spoke the Tamien language. This language is a Northern Ohlone language. It stopped being spoken sometime in the early 1800s.
The name "Tamyen" (or "Santa Clara Costanoan") is used for both the people and their language. Tamien is one of eight Costanoan language types. These are part of the Utian language family. However, some experts disagree if Utian is a true language family.
Tamien was the main language spoken by Native people at the first and second Mission Santa Clara. Both missions were started in 1777. Some linguists think that Chochenyo, Tamyen, and Ramaytush might be different forms of one language. But this has not been proven. Chochenyo, Tamien, and Ramaytush are still seen as separate groups.
Tamien Territory
The Tamien people lived in most of what is now Santa Clara County, California. Their land was next to areas where other Ohlone languages were spoken. To the northwest, on the San Francisco Peninsula, were the Ramaytush people. The Chochenyo lived in the East Bay. The Mutsun lived south of San Martin, and the Akwaswas were to the southwest.
Tamien villages were not small, separate groups. They were part of a larger Nation of Tamien-speaking villages. The Tamien Nation is sometimes incorrectly called "Ohlone." There was no single "Ohlone Tribe" in history. The term "Ohlone" was created by researchers. It might come from a Bay Miwok word, "Wolwolum," meaning "western people." Or it might be named after the "Oljon" village. No matter its origin, the tribes around San Francisco and Monterey Bay were separate, independent Nations.
Life During the Mission Era
During the time of the Spanish missions in California, the lives of the Tamien people changed greatly. Mission Santa Clara was built in their area. Most Tamien people moved into these missions. They were baptized and lived there as Catholic neophytes, also known as Mission Indians. They stayed until the Mexican Government closed the missions in 1833.
Many Tamien people died from diseases during this time. However, some families survived. They moved to Santa Cruz after their lands were given to Spanish and Mexican settlers. Later, some Tamien people married Mexican landowners. This helped them find safety, security, and a place to live and work.
When the American Government took over, they gave Mexican land grants to new settlers. The Tamien people were forced to move again. Many went to the San Joaquin Valley. Hundreds of Tamien people still live there today.
Tamien Nation Today
Today, the Tamien and other "Ohlone" Nations are more distinct than ever. They have different languages, social structures, religions, and values. The Tamien Nation is currently working to be officially recognized by the U.S. Federal Government. They are listed as a historic Tribe with the California State Native American Heritage Commission.
The Tamien Nation [1] is active in Santa Clara and southern San Mateo Counties. They work to protect their sacred lands, cultural sites, environment, and resources. One of their main goals is to get back lands that were taken from them by the Spanish, Mexicans, and Americans.
Tamien Villages
The Tamyen (Tamien, Thamien) people are linked to the first Mission Santa Clara. This mission was built on the Guadalupe River in 1777. The entire Santa Clara Valley had many Tamien-speaking villages. Several of these were located along Coyote Creek.
See also
In Spanish: Pueblo Thamien para niños
