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Deeper Than Gold (pp52-53)(2005) (4 pages)
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Page: of 4
UBUDSIN
out its plant and animal life or its geological constitution, but the indigenous cultural milieu and the languages associated with specific portions of the
landscape we all now traverse are equally important indicators of the startling
diversity that is (or was) California. Linguists and anthropologists identify the
people of this region and their language as Nisenan (pronounced “nish-eenon”), which translates to “from among us,” or “of our side.” ! Speakers of Nisenan occupied much of the country now encompassed by Yuba, Nevada, Placer,
Sutter, El Dorado, and Sacramento Counties. It has been estimated that seven
different dialects of Nisenan were spoken within this area: as one traveled from
the Sierra foothills onto the Sacramento Valley floor, the dialect changed; if one
ventured south from the Yuba River drainage to the Bear River area, the dialect
changed again; and so on.
Native communities were organized much the same throughout the Sierra
region. A hereditary headman, huk in Nisenan, owned the ceremonial roundhouse, was largely responsible for village welfare, and held influence over several smaller villages within a definable geographic region. The role of native
headmen was not so much to rule as to lead; their obligation to look after their
constituents is poignantly illustrated in Edwin Bryant’s description of meeting
a small group of Nisenan about an hour and a half (by horseback) east of Johnson’s Crossing, near Camp Far West, in August 1846. Upon being introduced,
Villages near Auburn
Bakacha, at Rocklin
Kaubusma, at Colfax
Chuyumom (slim willow water), near Colfax
Koyo, three miles south of Colfax
Sumyan, east of Colfax
Hemhembe, one mile west of Colfax
A’ilpakan (sand spring), near Weimar
Kauyama, near Colfax
Manaiyi, near railroad bridge north of Colfax
Soloklok, on a flat just north of Colfax
Chistok’umpu, large village south of Colfax
Manim Pakan (cedar spring), west of Colfax
Chuka Pakan (indian potato spring), near Clipper Gap
Penui, large village near Clipper Gap
Suminim yaman (sugar pine hill), near Clipper Gap
Weemah, at Weimar, named after headman
Hawnos, on South Fork Dry Creek
Yolos yaman (redberry hill), near Tunnel Hill
Didit, a mile southeast of Clipper Gap
Popokemul (deep water where tule grows), just northeas:
of Clipper Gap
Hakaka, at Ragsdell’s Place