Achumawi << ah CHOO mah wee, >> also spelled Achomawi, are a native people of northeastern California. Nine to 11 Achumawi bands lived along the Pit River and its tributaries. Each band was divided into several self-governing “tribelets.” Achumawi speak a language in the Hokan language family, related to that of the nearby Shasta people. The name Achumawi means flowing river or river people in the Achumawi language. Today, the Achumawi are also known as the Pit River tribe.
Traditionally, Achumawi bands hunted, fished, and gathered wild plants for food. During summer months, families traveled between temporary hunting and fishing camps. They settled into small villages during the winter months. To hunt deer and other game, the Achumawi dug deep pits using wooden sticks. The hunters drove the animals into the pits, trapping and killing them. European settlers who arrived in the region after the 1820’s named the Pit River after the many deer-trap pits the Achumawi had dug in the region.
Archaeological evidence in northern California shows that the Achumawi and their ancestors have lived in the region for thousands of years. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Achumawi lived in northern California in the late 1700’s, when they first encountered European fur traders. By the 1850’s, conflicts with gold miners and settlers had reduced the Achumawi population. Today, about 1,900 Achumawi live in the United States, mostly in California.
