Chumash people
The Chumash are a Native American people of the central and southern coastal regions of California, in portions of what is now San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, extending from Morro Bay in the north to Malibu in the south. Their territory included three of the Channel Islands: Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel; the smaller island of Anacapa was likely inhabited seasonally due to the lack of a consistent water source.[2][4]
 Historical Chumash villages | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2,000[1]–5,000[2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| English • Spanish • formerly Chumashan languages | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion, Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Barbareño, Ventureño, Ineseño, Purisimeño, Obispeño[3] |
Modern place names with Chumash origins include Malibu, Nipomo, Lompoc, Ojai, Pismo Beach, Point Mugu, Port Hueneme, Piru, Lake Castaic, Saticoy, Simi Valley and Somis.
Archaeological research demonstrates that the Chumash people have deep roots in the Santa Barbara Channel area and lived along the southern California coast for millennia.