Copehan Indians, Copehan Family. A linguistic stock formerly occupying a large territory in California, from Suisun and San Pablo bays on the south to Mt Shasta and the country of the Shastan family on the north. Starting from the north, the east boundary ran a few miles east of McCloud river to its junction with the Sacramento and thence to Redding, a large triangle east of Sacramento river belonging to the Copehan; and from Redding down the boundary was about 10 miles east of Sacramento river, but south of Chico it was confined to the west bank. On the west the summit of the Coast range formed the boundary, but from the headwaters of Cottonwood creek northward it nearly reached the south fork of the upper Trinity. The people of this family were among the most interesting of the California Indians, with a harmonious language and an interesting mythology. Their social and political system was like that of all California tribes: their largest unit was the village, more extensive combinations being for temporary purposes only. The people comprising this family have been divided by Powers 1 into 2 branches, the Patwin and the Wintun, differing considerably in language and customs. Following is a list of their villages:
Patwin subfamily:
Aclutoy
Ansactoy
Chenposel
Churuptoy
Copeh
Guilitoy
Korusi
Liwaito
Lolsel
Malaka
Napa
Noyuki
Olbosel
Olulato
Suisun
Topaidisel
Tuluka
Waikosel
Wailaksel
Yodetabi
Yolo
Wintun Subfamily:
Daupom
Noamlaki
Normuk
Nuimok
Nummuk
Patwin
Puimem
Puimuk
Tien-Tien
Waikenmuk
Winimem
Citations:
- Contributions to North American Ethnololgy., III, 1877[↩]