By McKenzie Neumann

Did you ever hear about the Maidu? The Maidu is a California Native American tribe. Some Maidu live in Sierra Nevada and others lived in Northern central California. Most Maidu also lived along the tributaries of Sacramento River. The Maidu lived near rivers, valleys, land near mountains, and foot hills. The Maidu is very fun to learn about and I will tell you about their homes, food, jobs, clothing, celebrations, children, and some Interesting facts.

Have you ever heard of the Maidu’s houses? The Maidu built different kinds of homes depending on the seasons. In the Winter, mountain Maidu lived in a bark- covered house. The Maidu who lived in the foot of the mountains lived in earthen homes and some Maidu lived near the American Rivers. The Maidu made doors out of animal fur. They made homes by standing four up right poles in the ground. They lived in a circular fame of up right poles. There homes were party under ground.

Do you know what the Maidu ate? The Maidu ate fish, acorns, plants, oak trees, deer, elks, squirrels, rabbits, ducks, geese, and quails. The Maidu gathered and ate insects. The Maidu caught fish with hooks and Maidu men made knives, spears, bow and arrows, and knife blades. Maidu women gathered acorns by hand.

What kind of jobs did the Maidu have ? The Maidu men were chosen for certain jobs for their good judge ment and even tempers. The girls made baskets for the babies and the Maidu men made weapons as axes and bow and arrows. The Maidu women gathered acorns and nuts by hand.

What did the Maidu wear? In the Winter the Maidu wore deer skin leggings and fur robes, and blankets. The Maidu women wore baskets for hats. In the summer the Maidu wore aprons and the Maidu men wore breech clothes. Maidu women and men had long hair.

Maidu celebrations were very inserting. During celebrations, they held special dance ceremonies gizzy bears and rattle snakes. Maidu men wore a decorative belts during dance ceremonies. The Maidu burned bodies with their dead possions.

The children had very interesting lives. Some times a baby was named in honor of their ancestor. The Maidu did not name their babies inill they were two or three. Children often had foot games and swimming contest. The adults teach their children the tribe languages.

Do you want to hear some Interesting facts? The Maidu were one of the largest tribes in California. Today there are about 3,550 Maidu. They live all over the world. Many Maidu are trying to strengthen their culture and restore their land. Maidu tribes are funding these efforts with money made from casinos. They believed the creator made the stares, Oak trees, birds, and many other animals. The Maidu had great respect of animals.

The Maidu was a awesome California Native American tribe. I only hope the number of Maidu keep going up and I hope their culture is still alive.