At one time there were hundreds of separate Chumash villages here in Santa Barbara. Some villages were as large as towns while others were quite small. The villages were constructed on high ground near lagoons, creek mouths, lakes, or springs. The largest villages were built along the mainland coast near the Santa Barbara Channel. Some other Indian people had similar customs, but no other Native Americans lived in exactly the same way as the Chumash people. Their invention and use of the plank canoe, their extraordinary baskets, tools and bead making, their customs and beliefs, and their craftmanship are what make the Chumash Indians unique. Various groups spoke distinct languages.

Each Chumash family lived in a house called an 'ap. A village would have many such dwellings. At least one sweathouse, or 'apa'yik, was built in every village, too.

Each village had a playground: a smooth level area big enough to play outdoor games such as shinny, kick ball and the hoop-and-pole game. Another area in the village was a ceremonial dance ground surrounded by a high fence of tule mats to serve as a wind break. Inside was the siliyk or sacred enclosure, a semi-circular area, enclosed for privacy, where priests and shamans conducted religious rituals.

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Listen to a contemporary Chumash flute player. The music you hear are recordings played by Lew Silva Chumash Indian. On 28k modem, these sound files will take 1.5 minutes to load into your computer. Back to Welcome page

This links to information about the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island.

This Tishle' blade is the only surviving example of a Chumash tomol paddle. The paddle was collected during Vancouver's visit to the Santa Barbara area in 1793 and presently resides in the British Museum collection.