Muwekma Ohlone have rich heritage tradition that was almost exterminated along with their colonization. Glass beads were used by the Muwekma and traded with Europeans. Olivella shells were used as currency among some of the Monterey Bay region tribes. Beads were made from shells, bone, and stone. These shells were used to demonstrate status, as economy, or for decoration purposes. Shell pendants were a status marker among California tribes. Made from shells which varied in shape and high status Ohlone used them as ornaments. Beads were also gambled where games would last days at points playing the “dice game.”
Muwekma Ohlone practiced slash and burn technique for agriculture. The native tribes laid their dead in mounds of shell and held memorial ceremonies. Ohlone were hunters and gathers. Their society was ranked as a chiefdom with a hereditary elite who held the power.
Missionization began in the 1770 were destroyed Ohlone culture where the missionaries planed to civilize the people and eliminate native religion and way of life. Great majority peridhed with introuduction of disease like measles and smallpox elimination more than 80% of the population.
Many projects have been put in place in order…show more content… In the 1980s Muwekma families came together in order to conduct research of the tribes history and genealogy, and petition the government for federal recognition. Interestingly enough, tobacco was the only plant the Ohlone tribe cultivated. Their pipes were made of steatite and sandstone. Californian laws prohibited the Ohlone from owning metal or weapons. They used arrow heads to hunt deer and elk. The Ohlone were extremely crafty and resourceful using bones as pipes, handles, tools, and accessories. They were also extremely spiritual smoking tobocca during religious ceremonies. An interesting and important mystery that archaeologist are still trying to identify is indigenous technology used to drill tiny precise
