Hupa

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =The Hupa Tribe in the Northern Coastal Region=

by "B''and Elle

Food Their green enviroment was home to deer,elk, sea lions, salmon, and other animals. They also dug for clams and other shellfish by the river. They ate berries, nuts, and acorns. The Hupa did not have to spend lots of time looking for food so they had lots of extra time. The food was very plentiful.

Villages The Hupa lived in the Northern Coast of California in a valley along the Trinity River. The villages were small and contained no more than 10 houses. The Hupa lived in a wet climate. There was one sweat lodge in a village. A sweat lodge has a fire pit in the middle,and on special occasions the men went to pray there. After they prayed they would go to the river to wash and cool off.

Houses The Hupa made their homes out of ceder planks. Only a single family lived in in each house. A fire pit was located in the center of each home and because of this, their houses had a hole in the roof so that smoke could get out. The Hupa lived in open houses made of brush during acorn gathering expeditions.

Tools and Useful Objects Hupa men used tools made of stone and shells to shape platers, bowls, and storage cheasts out of ceder. Low stools and head rests were also made of ceder Bows and arrow shafts were made of harder woods. Men also used elk horns to craft utencils. As utencils elkhorn spoons were used for men, and mussel shells for women. Weaved baskets were used to carry and store food. Also, baskets can function as cradels. Short spears,bow and arrows and stone knives were used to hunt.

Use of Resources Ceder trees were used to make the Hupa houses The Hupa dug for shellfish, collected nuts and berries, and hunted wild animals The women wore skirts made of deer hide with shells. The men wore headdresses with bright red wood pecker feathers. All of the Hupa tribe wore basket caps and shell necklaces. In battle the Hupa wore wood armor and shirts of elk hide. The Hupa traded for canoes with the neighboring Yurok tribe.

Interesting Facts When the Hupa people did something wrong, they had to pay or give blood. Hupa children were not named untill age five. Families were ranked acording to their wealth. They did not fight very much, and the few fights were mostly between families. The Hupa almost never fought together as a villiage, except for one particularly hard fought war with the Yourok.

Resources Used to Find Information World Book Student Online abc clio American History Social Studies Grade Four ebsco host