Description
The Wappo are an Indigenous people of northern California. Their traditional homelands are in Napa Valley, the south shore of Clear Lake, Alexander Valley, and Russian River valley. They are distantly related to the Yuki people, from which they seem to have diverged at least 500 years ago. The name 'Wappo' is an Americanized form of the Spanish word 'guapo' which means "'brave." When Mexicans arrived to colonize California, Wappo villages existed near the present-day towns of Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.
Language
Wappo is an extinct language that was spoken by the Wappo tribe
Culture
The Wappo people lived in a warm climate and for most of the year, they did not wear clothing at all. On occasion, the women wore simple grass aprons. They became known for the art of basket making. Staples in the diet of this hunting and gathering tribe included a lot of fish, berries, fowl and wild animals such as deer, squirrels, and bears. Many types of marine food were often caught with their bare hands such as turtles and various types of fish. Jewelry was often made from a combination of animal bones, sea shells and beads. Magnetite cylinders and clamshell beads were used for both jewelry and currency.