The Chumash are fishing
 

Daily Life of Chumash
by G. H.

   The Chumash lived in the tri-counties and parts of Los Angeles County. They spent their time in the village cooking, doing craft, sports, and religious ceremonies. The Chumash camped where there was fresh water and food like crabs, fish, and sea mammals. Most people were in the middle class and only doctors, astrologers, priests, and important craftsmen were upper class.

   They had a ruler that was their chief called wot. The chief lived in a big house with all of his family. The chief had to take care of all the people and make sure they were fed. He had the power to say "let's go to war for revenge."

   The Chumash like to tell a lot of stories. They thought the universe was cut into three worlds. The moon, sun, morning star were sky people that lived in the upper world. The middle world was full of men doing physical work. The lower world had dangerous creatures who scared people at night.

   Women wore skirts made of buckskin. They were bare chested. Most of the men were naked, but some had canoe shaped earrings that had tobacco. In the winter they wore capes made of sea otter.

Resources

Third Grade Santa Maria Curriculum Binder