Customs & Traditions

Storytelling

Preserving Cultural Tradition

Cultural traditions and archaeological evidence indicate that Shoshonean groups migrated to Southern California between 5000 and 8000 years ago due to severe altithermals. In the Luiseño oral tradition our

Aa’alvikat, in Luiseño, means storyteller and this was the name chosen by the Elders for our tribal library. In our oral creation story, Wiyot, the Creator God, uses his illness and ultimately his death to share his knowledge (ayelkwi) with his children. Through song, story and the literary word the library becomes a focal point for continuing the story of the Pauma People.


In 2005, the Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to implement an automated library catalog, establish an archive of important tribal material and increase the number of library programs. An archive room was established to house original Luiseño/Pauma materials. This special collection of documents pertaining to land use, water rights, archeology, culture, and history were inventoried and digitized during the project. Current programs such as multimedia and Internet classes continue, and new collaborative programs, including health awareness, personal finance and special children’s programs are being developed.

Luiseño Language

A Source of Progress

The Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians is one of six Luiseño groups living in Mid-Southern California. The Luiseño, or Puyumkowitchum, (Western People) are characterized as a Uto-Aztecan language-speaking group. It is believed that the ancestors of the Luiseño originally came from present day Nevada. The Uto-Aztecan language that Luiseño people spoke is similar to the Shoshone language of that region. Unfortunately, all fluent Luiseño speakers in the Pauma community have passed on. It is critical to our tribe to revitalize our language. Some of our revitalization efforts include assisting tribal speakers in improving their skills in speaking and teaching the language so that new speakers are continually evolving.

The Pauma band works with many partners to promote Luiseño language revitalization and has established partnerships with First Voices, the Indigenous Language Institute , and Palomar College. Our revitalization efforts also include the use of online resources and website technology training. Our partnership with Palomar College delivers hands on online language courses that have been successfully used by many of our tribal members. Future plans include the development of a radio station that will use the Luiseño language for public service announcements and language development.

Click below for a demonstration from Annabelle Dixon, one of our youngest Luiseño language students. Can you guess the name of the song?

Contact Us

Send us a message

contact

  • Town Hall

  • 1010 Pauma Reservation Rd,

  • Pauma Valley,CA 92061

  • (760) 742-1289

  • Police Department

  • 1010 Pauma Reservation Rd,

  • Pauma Valley, CA 92061

  • (760) 742-1289

  • Town Library

  • 1010 Pauma Reservation Rd,

  • Pauma Valley, CA 92061

  • (760) 742-1289

  • Fire Department

  • 1010 Pauma Reservation Rd,

  • Pauma Valley, CA 92061

  • (760) 742-1289