Ahwahnechee

The Ahwahnechee were a Native American people who inhabited the Yosemite Valley region in what is now California. They were part of the larger Miwok cultural group and had lived in the area for thousands of years before European contact. The name "Ahwahnechee" translates to "people of Ahwahnee," their name for Yosemite Valley.

The Ahwahnechee were hunter-gatherers who developed a complex society with established villages and seasonal camps. They relied on acorns as a staple food, supplemented by fish, game, and various plant materials. Their territory included Yosemite Valley and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains.

During the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century, the Ahwahnechee came into increasing conflict with American settlers. Led by Chief Tenaya, they resisted the encroachment on their traditional lands. The conflicts resulted in many Ahwahnechee being killed, forcibly relocated, or assimilated into other Native American communities.

Today, descendants of the Ahwahnechee are part of the Mono and Paiute communities in the region. Their legacy is preserved through oral traditions, archaeological sites, and the naming of landmarks within Yosemite National Park.