People of Orange People of Orange CountyCounty

TheThe

Gabrielino IndiansGabrielino Indians

About the PeopleAbout the People•Widely known as thoughtful people•Called themselves the Tongva•Original inhabitants of Upper Newport Bay•Found from Malibu to Aliso Creek•Spanish named them Gabrielinos because they live close to San Gabriel Mission

Location of the Gabrielino People

ShelterShelter

• Spent most of their lives outdoors

• Homes were called kish and used only for sleeping and shelter from poor weather

• Made with willow poles, tule grass, and cattail leaves

• Smoke hole on top for indoor cooking

• Animal skins for doors and • sleeping mats

• Used natural resources available at or near Upper Newport Bay

• Plants, seeds, berries, and fruits made up largest part of their diet

• Acorns, a staple of their diet, were collected from oak trees as nearby as present day Tustin.

• The ocean provided fish, shellfish, and other food items.

• Especially enjoyed abalone• Hunted animals around the bay

area• Also ate reptiles and insects• Most of their time was spent

hunting or gathering food.

FoodFood

Food PreparationFood Preparation• Knowledge of plants was important to Tongva

women because some were poisonous!• Utensils were very important. Each woman had

her own set.• When a woman died, her utensils were buried

with her.• Bowls made from soapstone that came from

Catalina Island could be placed right in the fire!

Roles of Men and Roles of Men and WomenWomen

• Roles were very strict• Women gathered and prepared food.• Men were involved in hunting,

trading, and craft-making.• Little clothing was necessary due to

the mild climate.• Men and women wore accessories for

decoration and status.

BasketsBaskets• Main tool used to prepare food• Tongva women were expert weavers• So finely woven they were water

tight• Used as huge storage bins

Gabrielino Baskets

HuntingHunting• Men were responsible for hunting,

fishing, and making tools.• They designed fish hooks from

abalone shells or other animal bones.

• Used any available resource to make scrapers, hammers, drills, and other tools.

• Tools were continually improved

TradingTrading• Trading took place between the

Tongva and other tribes.• Soapstone and otter skins were

obtained from Catalina.• Obsidian, acorns, and large game

were obtained from as far east as the Salton Sea.

• Canoes used to trade with the Chumash of Catalina.

Religion and GovernmentReligion and Government

• Loose form of government• Male member gained permission

to act as leader• Sometimes women were

allowed to lead• Shaman was the religious leader• Included the teaching of morals• Tongva were a peaceable, kind

people

Gabrielinos Then and NowGabrielinos Then and Now

• When missions arrived in Ca., Tongva culture gradually began to disappear.

• The Tongva were wiped out by diseases, murder, and destruction of the environment.

• Most of what is learned about the Tongva comes from information and artifacts they left behind.