Last Updated on October 9, 2013 by Dennis
Luisefio. From the name of the Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia. Also called:
- Ghecham or Khecham, from the native name of San Luis Rey Mission.
Luisefio Connections. The Luiseno belonged to the Shoshonean division of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family.
Luisefio Location. In the southwest part of the state from the coast toward but wholly west of the divide that extends south from Mount San Jacinto; bounded northward by the cognate Juaneno, Gabrielino, and Serrano and south by the Diegueno.
Luisefio Villages
- Ahuya, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Akipa, near Kahpa.
- Alapi, south of the middle course of the San Luis Rey River.
- Awa’, on a head branch of Santa Margarita River.
- Hurumpa, west of Riverside.
- Huyulkum, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Ikaimai, near San Luis Rey Mission.
- Kahpa, on the middle course of San Luis Rey River.
- Katukto, between Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Rivers, north of San Luis Rey.
- Keish, south of San Luis Rey Mission.
- Keweyu, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Kolo, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Kuka, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Kwalam, on the lower course of San Luis Rey River.
- Malamai, northeast of Pala.
- Meha, on Santa Margarita River northwest of Temecula.
- Mehel-om-pom-pauvo, near Escondido.
- Ngorivo, near the headwaters of San Luis Rey River.
- Pa’auw, near Ta’i. Paiahche, on Elsinore Lake.
- Pala, at Pala.
- Palamai, on the coast between Buena Vista and Agua Hedionda Creeks.
- Panakare, north of Escondido.
- Pashkwo, near the headwaters of San Luis Rey River.
- Paumo, east of Pala.
- Pu-chorivo, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Saumai, south of the middle course of San Luis Rey River.
- Shakishmai (Luisefio or Dieguefio), on the boundary line between the two peoples.
- Shikapa, west of Escondido.
- Sovovo, east of San Jacinto.
- Taghanashpa, east of Pala.
- Takwi, at the head of Santa Margarita River.
- Takwishpo-shapila, near Palomar Mountain.
- Ta’i, close to Palomar Mountain.
- Tapomai, north of Katukto. Temeku, east of Temecula.
- Tomkav, west of Pala.
- Ushmai. near the mouth of Santa Margarita River.
- Wahaumai, on San Luis Rey River above San Luis Rey.
- Wiawio, at the mouth of San Luis Rey River.
- Wissamai, east of San Luis Rey.
- Woshha, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
- Yami, near Huyulkum.
Luisefio Population. Kroeber (1925) estimates 4,000 to be a liberally allowed maximum for the Luiseno in 1770. The United States Indian Office returned over 2,500 in 1856; 1,300 in 1870; 1,150 in 1885; and in recent returns, less than 500. (See Alliklik.)