Sacred Texts Native American California Index Previous Next
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THE HIGH SIERRA
Photo H. C. Tibbitts
The Great Spirit gathered a band of his favorite children and led them into the mountains on a long and wearisome journey until they reached the Valley now known as Yosemite. Here The Great Spirit bade them rest and make their home. Here they found food in abundance for all. The streams were swarming with fish. The meadows were thick in clover.
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ACORN CACHE AND YO-SEM-I-TE SQUAW
Photo A. C. Pillsbury
[paragraph continues] The trees and bushes gave them acorns, pine-nuts, fruits and berries, while in the forests were herds of deer and other animals which gave them meat and skins for food and clothing. Here they multiplied and grew prosperous and built their villages. They called the valley Ah-wah-nee, meaning "a deep grassy valley," and themselves Ah-wah-nee-chees, signifying "dwellers in Ah-wah-nee."