Wappo

The Wappo are a Native American people traditionally living in Northern California, primarily in the Napa Valley and the surrounding foothills and river valleys of present-day Napa and Sonoma counties. Their territory extended along the Napa River and into adjacent regions, where they lived in numerous seasonal villages.

The Wappo language was historically spoken by the people. It is now no longer spoken fluently and is poorly documented; it has been variously classified by linguists, and contemporary efforts seek to record and possibly revive elements of the language.

Culturally, the Wappo relied on a mixed economy of acorns, seeds, fish, and game, and they crafted baskets and other items from local plants. They practiced seasonal rounds, moving between fishing, gathering, and hunting sites as resources changed through the year.

Spanish colonial expansion and the mission system disrupted Wappo communities in the 18th and 19th centuries. Diseases, displacement, and settlement by non-Native communities led to dramatic population declines and changes in traditional lifeways. Descendants of the Wappo continue to live in California and participate in broader Native American communities, with ongoing efforts in language and cultural preservation.

The Wappo are part of the broader Native American history of the Napa Valley and Northern California, with their legacy reflected in place names, cultural practices, and ongoing genealogical and cultural preservation work.