Costanoan

The Costanoan Native American people historically occupied the area around present-day San Francisco and Monterey Bay, San Jose, as far south as King City, and east to the Mount Diablo mountain range. The name “Costanoan” comes from the Spanish word cotenos, which means “coast-dwellers.” These indigenous peoples call themselves the Ohlone, which comes from the name of one of the groups. Today, these groups of Native Americans are collectively referred to today as Costanoan/Ohlone. The Costanoan historically spoke at leas eight different languages, all of which belong to the language family called Costanoan. The languages and dialects that have been identified are called Karkin, Chocenyo, Tamyen, Ramaytush, Awaswas, Mutsun, Rumsen, and Chalon. Prior to Euroamerican contact the Costanoan population ranged above 20,000, but by the 1770s the Costanoan numbered approximately 10,000. By 1832 there were fewer than 2,000 indigenous peoples; today the Costanoan still live in California where their ancestors lived and maintain aspects of their culture.

Name: Costanoan. The people call themselves Ohlone, which is the name of one of the groups.

Location: San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas of present-day California.

Population: Before the 1600s, approximately 20,000; in 1770 around 10,000 and by 1832 fewer than 2,000. In 1973 approximately 230 descendants living on former Native American tribal lands were known; the Esselen Nation claims 350 enrolled members.

Language Family: Costanoan.

First Contact with Euroamericans: 1602 by Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcano; 1770 the first mission is built in Costanoan traditional territory.

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