The Kumeyaay lifestyle is very in-tune with nature. For thousands of years, the tribe survived in different seasonal camps and followed the natural harvest seasons, working with the land. This respect for nature is reflected in many of their cultural beliefs, values, and practices.
These practices led to an early rift with Spanish settlers, who brought with them invasive species of domestic animals and flora that disrupted the natural wildlife. The mistreatment and constant conflicts between mission settlers and Kumeyaay only grew over time, eventually culminating in a Kumeyaay revolt against the San Diego de Alcalá mission and the destruction of the original mission building.
After California was acquired by the United States in 1850, a political border bisected Kumeyaay territories in California and Baja California, Mexico. Many Kumeyaay people had difficulty visiting relatives because of this new border, and some didn’t even know the border existed until they attempted to cross it.
Despite its prevalence in depictions of Native American tribes, conflict with colonists was only one aspect of the history of the Kumeyaay tribes and their past and present culture. The traditions and lifestyles of the Kumeyaay people are full of art, history, religious beliefs, and other culturally significant components.
Did You Know?
The Kumeyaay people was the first people who greeted the Spanish when they first sailed into San Diego Harbor with the Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo expedition of 1542.
Artwork
Art is a significant part of surviving Kumeyaay culture. Pottery served a dual purpose, being both a form of art and a useful tool for any family. Artists kneaded clay and shaped it into pots and bowls using pottery anvils and wooden paddles.
Basket weaving was another utilitarian yet artistic form of cultural expression. Kumeyaay people weaved baskets with exceptional skill, with many of the weavings being tight enough to hold water while still looking visually appealing. Both basket weaving and pottery are skills that have been passed down to many modern Kumeyaay descendants, and these art forms are practiced to this day!
Trade
There is archaeological evidence to suggest that trade occurred between Kumeyaay in San Diego and those in the Imperial County region. One of the primary trading goods was obsidian, which could be shaped into tools and jewelry.
Many of the roads in modern day San Diego were used as trading routes. Kumeyaay traders used what is now Highway 101 and Interstate 8 to communicate and exchange goods, hundreds of years before these roads were paved.
Songs and Games
Many songs and games were passed down through oral traditions and are still practiced by today’s Kumeyaay tribe. There are games for children that involve throwing sandstone disks and trying to score goals with weaved balls, as well as more adult-oriented gambling games like Peon.
There are over 300 known Kumeyaay songs still sung by modern tribes. Many of these songs are similar to bird songs, and they’re often sung in a group with dancing and percussion instruments.