Yelamu facts for kids
The Yelamu are a group of Ohlone people who lived in the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. They spoke a language called Ramaytush. Today, the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone (ARO) are the modern descendants of the Ramaytush people.
When the Spanish arrived in 1776, about 160 to 300 Yelamu people lived in the San Francisco area. The Spanish built Mission San Francisco de Asís there on June 30, 1776.
Many old objects have been found in San Francisco. These objects were left by Yelamu families. These families moved between different villages throughout the year. They lived in the area that is now San Francisco. Other Yelamu villages were also located south of San Francisco.
History of the Yelamu
Scientists believe the Yelamu people and their Ohlone neighbors arrived here a very long time ago. They came between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago. They lived on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. This area is now the City and County of San Francisco. They lived there before Spanish missionaries arrived in 1769.
The first four Yelamu people became Christians between 1777 and 1779. They were baptized by Father Palou and Father Santa Maria. They joined the Mission San Francisco de Asís. This mission was founded in 1776 by the Spanish. These Yelamu became some of the first "Mission Indians" in the San Francisco area.
Yelamu Villages
The Yelamu people lived in several villages. They often moved between different places during the year. This depended on the season and what food was available.
One large group had a winter village called Tubsinthe. This was near Candlestick Point. Their summer home was Amuctac in Visitacion Valley.
Another group had a summer camp at Chutchui village. This was along Mission Creek in the Mission area. Their other village was Sitlintac. This was on the edge of Mission Bay, which was filled in later.
A third group lived near Crissy Field at a place called Petlenuc.
Here are some Yelamu/Ramai villages south of San Francisco:
- Ompuromo - Southwest of Lake Merced
- Timigtac - Near present day Pacifica
- Pruristic - Present day Pacifica
- Siplichiquin - Southeast foot of San Bruno Mountain
- Urebure - Present day San Bruno
You can find a bigger list at List of Ohlone villages.
See also
In Spanish: Yelamu para niños
