Tongva

The Tongva are an indigenous people of California from the Los Angeles Basin and the Southern Channel Islands. Before European contact, they lived in around 100 villages across an area of about 4,000 square miles. The Tongva developed strong trade networks and had a rich culture based on their deep connection to nature and the land.

When Spanish explorers arrived in the 1540s, they met the Tongva and later established missions that changed their lives forever. The Spanish forced many Tongva people to live and work at these missions, which brought diseases the people had never faced before. This led to big changes in their communities and way of life.

Over time, the Tongva faced many challenges as new governments took over the land. Even so, their descendants have kept their culture alive. Today, groups of Tongva people work together to honor their history and protect their heritage. In recent years, they have also worked to regain parts of their traditional lands, with some success in getting small areas back for their community.

Geography

The Tongva people lived in what is now the coastal area of Los Angeles County, the northwest part of Orange County, and some nearby islands. In 1962, a curator named Bernice Johnson said the northern edge of their land was near Topanga and Malibu, possibly around Malibu Creek, and the southern edge was at Aliso Creek in Orange County.

Names

Tongva

The name Tongva was created by C. Hart Merriam in 1905. He learned it from many people, including a woman named Narcisa Higuera, who lived near Fort Tejon. Some Tongva descendants prefer to be called Kizh, saying this is an older and more correct name. Records from places like the Smithsonian Institution and the San Gabriel Mission use this name.

Gabrieleño

The Spanish called the Indigenous people near Mission San Gabriel the Gabrieleño. This was not the name they called themselves, but it is used in official tribe names in the area. Because there were disagreements about using the name Tongva, some tribes chose to use Gabrieleño instead. For example, in 2017, when a city council member from Pomona wanted to put statues in a park for the local Indigenous people, tribal leaders agreed to use the name Gabrieleño on the plaque.

In 1968, a law was passed that affected how some people could receive awards for tribes in California. This law looked at the ancestry of people applying for these awards to decide who could be included.

History

Before the mission period

Long ago, the Tongva people lived in villages all over what is now Southern California. They spoke languages from the Uto-Aztecan family and relied on the land for food, like acorns and fish. Their villages were important centers of their lives.

In 1542, Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo was the first European to visit the area, interacting with the Tongva people.

Colonization and the mission period (1769–1834)

In 1769, Spanish explorers arrived in Tongva lands, marking the start of colonization. Missions were built, and many Tongva people were brought into these missions, changing their lives greatly. The Spanish called them Gabrieleño and Fernandeño after the missions.

Mexican secularization and occupation (1834–1848)

After Mexico took control, many Tongva became workers on large ranches, losing access to their own lands. They faced difficult conditions and were often forced to work without much choice.

American occupation and continued subjugation (1848–)

When the United States took over, the Tongva faced even more challenges. They were treated unfairly, often arrested, and forced into hard labor. Their culture and identity were suppressed, and many lost their land.

Extinction controversy

In the early 1900s, some people claimed the Tongva were gone, but this wasn't true. Many Tongva kept their identity hidden to protect themselves, and some even tried to reconnect with their heritage later on.

Desecrated sites and Land Back

Today, the Tongva continue to fight for their rights and to protect their sacred places. Efforts are underway to return some land to the Tongva people and to honor their history and culture.

Culture

The Tongva lived in a very fertile area of southern California. This region had a mild climate and plenty of food from the land and sea. They were an important group among the Indigenous peoples there, trading with many nearby groups. Their land reached from the Channel Islands in the west all the way to the Colorado River in the east.

They used the plants and animals around them for food, tools, and other needs. Their homes were built in places where they could find water and food easily. The Tongva were skilled at using natural materials to make useful items and beautiful decorations.

Te'aat and the ocean

Main article: Tomol

The Tongva lived close to the ocean and used special boats called te'aat to travel. These boats were made from driftwood pine tied together and sealed with plant fibers and tar. They could carry up to 20 people and were very important for trading between the mainland and nearby islands like Catalina Island.

Food culture

Food was shared among the village, with the chief helping to manage resources. Families stored food for times when it was hard to find. In summer, they gathered fruits and seeds, and in winter, they collected nuts and hunted animals. They did not farm but gathered food from nature. One of their main foods was acorn mush, made by breaking open acorns, removing the bitter part, and cooking them into a meal.

Material culture

The Tongva made many things from natural materials, like baskets from rushes and grass, and cooking tools from soapstone. They wore simple clothes, often just a skirt for women, and went barefoot except in rough places. In cold weather, they wore robes made from animal skins.

Social culture

The Tongva had strong rules for their community. They did not tolerate murder, disrespecting elders, or certain close family relationships. While they usually lived in peace with nearby groups, their wars could be very fierce when they happened.

Contemporary tribe

The earliest studies of the Tongva people, then called Gabrielino by the Spanish, happened in the mid-1800s. By 1900, their original language was almost gone, and only small pieces of their history and culture remain. Today, the Tongva people speak English, but some are working hard to bring their language back to life through classes and talks about their history and the environment.

In recent years, about 1,700 people say they belong to the Tongva or Gabrieleño tribe. In 1994, California recognized two groups: the Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe and the Fernandino-Tongva Tribe, but they are not recognized by the national government. Some Tongva groups want to build a gaming casino to help their community, but not everyone agrees. This has caused disagreements among the Tongva people about how to lead their tribe and what their future should look like.

The Tongva have also worked to protect important places to them. They have spoken up when developers disturb places where their ancestors are buried or when plans threaten their sacred spots. One such place is the Tongva Sacred Springs at the site of an old Tongva village, now part of a school in West Los Angeles. Another important spot is Puvungna, which they believe is where their prophet was born and where creation happened. This area is now part of a university campus in Long Beach, California. In 2019, there was a problem when soil and construction materials were dumped on a part of this sacred land, and the Tongva and others took action to stop it.

Traditional narratives

Further information: Traditional narratives of Indigenous Californians

The Tongva people's stories and beliefs are not well known because they were introduced to Christianity by Spanish missionaries in the 1770s. What we do know shows that they shared strong cultural ties with nearby groups like the Luiseño and the Cahuilla.

Long ago, the Tongva believed in several important gods. The main god was Chinigchinix, also called Quaoar. Another important god was Weywot, the sky god, who was created by Quaoar. Weywot was very harsh, and eventually, his own sons decided to kill him. The Tongva gathered to discuss what to do next and had a vision of a ghostly figure named Quaoar. He promised to bring order and give laws to the people. After sharing his teachings, he began to dance and rose up into the sky.

Later, astronomers Michael E. Brown and Chad Trujillo chose to name a large object they found in space, 50000 Quaoar, after the Tongva god Quaoar. When they discovered a moon orbiting this object, they asked the Tongva to choose a name, and they picked Weywot in 2009.

Toponymy

Main page: Category:Tongva populated places

Since the time of Spanish settlers, many places in Southern California have names that come from the Tongva people. Some of these places are Pacoima, Tujunga, Topanga, Rancho Cucamonga, Azusa (Azucsagna), and Cahuenga Pass.

Some important natural spots that are still respected by the Tongva include Puvunga, Kuruvungna Springs, and Eagle Rock.

New places have also been named to honor the Tongva. The Gabrielino Trail is a long path through the Angeles National Forest that was made and named in 1970.

In 2002, a tall hill in the Verdugo Mountains, near Glendale, was named Tongva Peak.

Tongva Park is a park in Santa Monica, California. It has places to play, gardens, fountains, picnic spots, and restrooms. The park opened on October 13, 2013.

Notable people

Here are some important Tongva people from history and today:

• Victoria Reid (around 1809–1868) was a woman from the village of Comicranga. She became a respected landowner in Mexican California but later faced challenges in American society. She was married to Hugo Reid.
• Toypurina (1760–1799) was a Kizh medicine woman who stood against Spanish rule in California. She led a rebellion in 1785, though it was not successful.
• Julia Bogany (1948–2021) was a teacher and activist. She worked hard to teach and bring attention to the Tongva language and culture.
• Tonantzin Carmelo is a Tongva actress known for her work in film and television.