Wappo facts for kids
A Wappo Woman
from Edward S. Curtis Collection. |
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1770: 1,000–1,650 1850: 188–200 1910: 73 1977: 50 2000: 250 2010: 291 |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
 California (Clear Lake, Napa Valley, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, historically Wappo | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Yuki people |
The Wappo are a group of Native Americans who have lived in northern California for a very long time. They call themselves Micewal. Their traditional lands include places like Napa Valley, the area around Clear Lake, and the Russian River valley. They are related to the Yuki people, and their language, Wappo, was influenced by their neighbors, the Pomo people. The Pomo called the Wappo "northerners."
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Contents
Wappo Culture and Daily Life
Before Europeans came to California, the Wappo people lived by hunting and gathering food. They lived in small groups and did not have one main leader for everyone. Their homes were built using branches, leaves, and mud.
The Wappo were also very skilled at making woven baskets. These baskets were so well-made that they could even hold water!
Wappo History and Resistance
When people from Mexico arrived to settle California, Wappo villages were located near places that are now towns like Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Many Wappo people from the Clear Lake area were moved to the Spanish missions in California. Records show that at least 550 Wappo people were baptized at these missions.
The name "Wappo" comes from the Spanish word guapo, which means "brave." The Wappo earned this name because they bravely resisted Mexican rule. They especially stood strong against military efforts led by General Vallejo and his allies. In 1836, the Wappo and the Mexican forces signed a peace treaty.
Wappo Population Changes
Historians have estimated the Wappo population over time. In 1770, it was thought there were about 1,000 Wappo people. Some estimates even put this number higher, at 1,650.
By the early 1850s, the number of Wappo people who had survived was reported to be between 188 and 800. However, the population dropped significantly by 1880, with only about 50 Wappo people remaining. The 1910 Census recorded 73 Wappo individuals. More recently, the population has grown, with 250 in 2000 and 291 in 2010.
Wappo Language
The Wappo language is a language that is no longer spoken, meaning it is extinct. It belongs to the Yukian language family. Experts have studied and written down the grammar rules of the Wappo language.
See also
In Spanish: Wappo para niños
