Karok Tribe

The Karok tribe, known as “arar,” inhabited the Klamath River region in northwest California, between Redcap and Indian Creeks. Neighbors included the Yurok to the south and Shasta tribes to the east. While their language differs significantly from nearby tribes, their cultural practices mirror those of the Yurok and Hupa, particularly in annual ceremonies called “making the world.” The Karok did not build canoes, relying instead on Yurok craftsmanship, and exhibited a unique dialect, Karakuka, in their northernmost settlements.

Karok Indians

The Karok Indians, also known as Karuk in their own language, inhabit the middle Klamath River region. Historically classified as an independent stock, they now belong to the larger Hokan linguistic family, with close ties to the Chimariko and Shasta tribes. Their population, once estimated at about 1,500 in 1770, fell to 576 by 1905, with later counts remaining lower. Karok society includes distinct subdivisions and numerous villages, each with specific geographical designations along the Klamath and Salmon Rivers.