Me Wuk Influence in Tuolumne County

by Susan Christian on July 15, 2018
   



Located three miles east of Twain Harte homes, Mi Wuk Village California real estate honors the Sierra Me-Wuk Indians who dwelt for centuries in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.  Real estate in Mi Wuk Village is along Highway 108 less than 20 miles east of Sonora CA properties.  The tiny town is surrounded by Sugar Pine, Sierra Village and Long Barn at elevations over 4000 feet.

Me-Wuk tribes lived in the foothills of present Tuolumne County lands.  The County extends from the Stanislaus National Forest south to Yosemite National Park where different tribes built dwellings of cedar bark.  The tribes are divided into the Northern, Central, and Southern groups.

The Central Sierra Me-Wuk Indian tribes lived between the Stanislaus River and the rich that separates the Merced and Tuolumne rivers.  They utilized land into Tuolumne County which is now the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park.

The Central Sierra Me-Wuk also built permanent villages just below the heavy snow line.  These villages were located on ridges near creeks and natural springs.  Me-Wuk houses were built on the ground in the conical bark style with a fire pit on the floor and a smoke whole in the top.  A large ceremonial Roundhouse posted religious and social events.  The home of the Me-Wuk chief was large enough to host special events also.  The regular homes were smaller.  The tribe also built sweat houses or tca’kka with the fire pits in the center.  They were used for healing and to prepare for deer hunting. 

In addition, they built granaries to store food.  As the weather warmed up, they traveled to the high country to hunt and gather food.  The Me-Wuks also traveled up to Sonora Pass to trade with the Sierra Paiute Indians who lived on the east side of the mountains.  The tribes gathered acorns, pine nuts, obsidian, plants for food and basket making, and other commodities.  They also traded with coastal tribes to obtain shell beads and salt.

A replica of an Indian village is located at the Summit Ranger Station at the turn off to Pinecrest on Highway 108.  It is titled the "Shadow of the Miwok Trail."  Visitors are able to imagine the Me-Wuk working with the umucha, grinding rocks, and using the sweat house.


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