Walapai Indians

The Walapai Indians, also known as the “pine-tree folk,” are a Native American tribe belonging to the Yuman branch of the Hokan linguistic stock. Closely related to the Havasupai and Yavapai, they historically occupied the region along the middle Colorado River, above the Mohave, extending southward toward Bill Williams Fork. The tribe’s numerous villages were spread across different geographic divisions, including north, west, central, east, and southern areas. First encountered by European explorers in the 16th and 18th centuries, the Walapai population has fluctuated significantly over time, reflecting the broader historical challenges faced by Yuman tribes in the region.

Walapai Indians: From the native word Xawálapáiy’, “pine-tree folk”. Also called:

• E-pa, by A. Hrdlička (information, 1906), given as their own name.
• Gualiba, by Garcés in 1776 (Diary, p. 404, 1900); Yavapai name.
• Hawálapai, by Curtis (1907-9, vol. 2, p. 116).
• Jaguallapai, by Garces in 1776 (Diary, p. 308, 1900).
• Matávĕkĕ-Paya, by Corbusier MS. p. 27. Meaning “people to the north”(?) Yavapai name.
• Oohp, by Ten Kate (1885, p. 160), Pima name.
• Páxuádo ameti, by Gatschet (1886, p. 86), meaning “people far down the river,” Yavapai name.
• Setá Kóxninăme, by Ten Kate (1884, p. 9), Hopi name.
• Täbkĕpáya—Gatschet (1883, p. 124), Yavapai name; abbreviated from
• Matávĕkĕ-Paya.
• Tiqui-Llapais, by Domenech (1860, vol. 1, p. 444).

Walapai Connections. The Walapai belonged to the Yuman branch of the Hokan linguistic stock and were connected especially closely with the Havasupai, the Yavapai apparently standing next.

Walapai Location. On the middle course of the Colorado River, above the Mohave, between Sacramento Wash and National Canyon and inland, extending south almost to Bill Williams Fork.

Walapai Villages

Kroeber and his collaborators give the following:

1. Mata’va-kopai (north people) (the northwestern division). Villages: Had-ū’-ba, Hai’ya, Hathekáva-kió, Huwuskót, Kahwága, Kwa’thekithe’i’ta, Mati’bika,
   Tanyika”
2. Soto’lve-kopai (west people) (the Cerbat Mountains and the country west to the Colorado). Villages: Chimethi’ap, Ha-kamuê”, Háka-tovahádja, Hamté”, Ha’thewelī’-kio’, Ivthī’ya-tanakwe, Kenyuā’tci, Kwatehá, Nyi’ī’ta, Quwī’-nye-há, Thawinúya, Waika’ī’la, Wa-nye-ha’, Wi’ka-tavata’va, Wi-kawea’ta, Winya’-ke-tawasa, Wiyakana’mo
3. Ko’o’u-kopai (mesa people) (north central section) .—Villages: Crozier (American name), Djiwa’ldja, Hak-tala’kava, Haktutu’deva, Hê’1, Katha’t-nye-ha’, Muketega’de, Qwa’ga-we’, Sewi”, Taki’otha’wa, Wi-kanyo”
4. Nyav-kopai (east people) (east of the point where Truxton Canyon begins to cut its way down to Hualpai Valley).—Villages: Agwa’da, Ha’ke-takwī’va, Haksa”, Hā’nya-djiluwa’ya, Tha’ve-nalnalwi’dje, Wiwakwa’ga, Yiga’t
5. E. Hakia’ tce-pai (?) or Talta’l-kuwa (cane?) (about the Mohon Mountains).—Villages: Hakeskia’l, Hakia’ch, Ka’nyu’tekwa’, Tha’va-ka-lavala’va, Wi-ka-tāva, Witevikivol, Witkitana’kwa
6. Kwe’va-kopai (south people).—Villages: Chivekaha’, Djimwā’nsevio”, Ha-djiluwa’ya, Hapu’k, Kwakwa’, Kwal-hwa’ta, Kwatha’wa, Tak-mi’nva
7. Hua’la-pai, Howa’laa-pai (pine people) (at the northern end of the Hualpai Mountains, extending in a rough half-circle from east to west.)—Villages: Hake-djeka’dja, Ilwi’-nya-ha’, Kahwa’t, Tak-tada’pa.

Walapai History

It is possible that some of the Walapai were encountered by Hernando de Alarcon in 1540, and at any rate Marcos Farfan de los Godos met them in 1598, and Francisco Games in 1776. Their history since that time has been little different from that of the other Yuman tribes of the region.

Walapai Population

Mooney (1928) estimates that there were 700 Walapai in 1680, but estimates of native informants regarded by Kroeber and his associates as reliable would give a population of more than 1,000 previous to 1880. There were 728 in 1889; 631 in 1897; 501 in 1910, according to the census of that year; 440 in 1923; and 449 in 1932; 454 in 1937.