California and the Great Basin

Environment

Redwood forest & Southern deserts are the landscapes

Deserts, pine forests, lakes, & streams are the landscapes

 Lakes & streams provide a wide amount of water and fish

Climate

During springs and summers it is usually dry and hot with occasional storms and showers. During fall and winter it tends to be cold and snowy. The snow occurs mainly in places with higher elevation like mountains. Many mammals migrate to places with lower elevation during the winter to avoid the cold temperatures and to be able to find food resources more easily

Clothing California

During springs and summers it is usually dry and hot with occasional storms and showers. During fall and winter it tends to be cold and snowy. The snow occurs mainly in places with higher elevation like mountains. Many mammals migrate to places with lower elevation during the winter to avoid the cold temperatures and to be able to find food resources more easily

Housing California

• Variety of housing

• Wooden plank housing

• Cone-shaped houses (slabs of barks on poles)

• Pit houses (underground)

Housing Great Basin

• Shelter changed with season

• Warm weather, meant brush windbreaks

• Winter, a conical shelter of pine poles covered with bark, grass, animal skins, sod.

Clothing Great Basin

• Men wore moccasins, leggings, fringed shirts

• Women wore dresses, knee-length leggings, moccasins.

• During winter, rabbit-skin robes.

Beliefs Great Basin

The people of the Great Basin believed that all around them was inhabited by spirits. Guardian Spirits were also important. Another common practice was initiation ceremonies for girls reaching adulthood. The Great Basin people also had round dances. These dancers were where people linked arms and circled a pole. The dances were meant to bring rain, a good hunt, and to make plants grow. They also had Shamans which were meant heal and enhance hunting. 

Beliefs California

Since native Californians believed that every person had different amounts of spiritual power. Most tribes held a world renewal ceremony, which is was meant to prevent the spirit power from escaping the universe. These ceremonies were also meant for making sure the tribe had enough food. 

California Indians were especially known for making fine, watertight woven baskets.

Tribes

 Pomo, Shoshone