The Awaswas Ohlone
Original Stewards of the Coast · Santa Cruz County
The Santa Cruz coast was home to the Awaswas-speaking Ohlone people, one of eight Ohlone language groups. They built villages at the mouths of rivers and along the coast, living in round tule-mat houses, harvesting abalone and mussels from the rocky shores, and hunting in the redwood forests above. Their descendants continue to advocate for recognition and preservation of their heritage.
Timeline
Villages Along the Coast
Awaswas villages were concentrated around the lower Santa Cruz River, Soquel Creek, and the coast. The largest village, Aulintac, sat near the San Lorenzo River. Population estimates range from 1,000 to 3,000 people across the region before European contact dramatically reduced their numbers.
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