The Chumash are a Native American people who historically lived along the central and southern coasts of California. They were skilled hunters, gatherers, and fishermen and are known for their intricate basket-weaving, rock art, and seafaring skills. The Chumash had a complex society with a rich cultural heritage, including a unique system of writing, a form of trade, and a spiritual tradition that was based on the worship of nature.
However, the arrival of European settlers in the 18th and 19th centuries brought profound changes to Chumash life, including the loss of land, the introduction of diseases, and the forced removal of Chumash children to boarding schools. Today, the Chumash people are working to preserve their cultural traditions and regain sovereignty over their ancestral lands. There are several Chumash tribes and organizations that are recognized by the U.S. government and are dedicated to maintaining their cultural heritage and advocating for their rights.
Chumash Rock Art
Chumash rock art is a unique and important part of Chumash culture and history. It is a form of visual storytelling that was created by the Chumash people on rock surfaces in the central and southern coastal regions of California. The rock art consists of petroglyphs (carvings) and pictographs (paintings) that depict a wide range of subjects, including humans, animals, and spiritual beings.
The exact meaning and purpose of Chumash rock art is not known, but it is believed to have served multiple functions, including religious, social, and historical. Some of the rock art is thought to have been created for specific rituals or ceremonies, while others may have served as a way of recording important events or documenting the stories of the Chumash people.
Today, Chumash rock art is considered an important cultural resource and is protected by law. Many of the sites where rock art can be found are considered sacred to the Chumash people and are still used for traditional ceremonies and rituals. The rock art is also of great interest to archaeologists and anthropologists who study the history and culture of Native American peoples in California.
Chumash Rock Art Project
My introduction to Rock Art was when I moved to Santa Barbara in my 20s to go to The Brooks Institute of Photography.
A local girl took me to see a well-known site and then a few lesser-known private sites. Years later, I returned and started exploring and looking for sites in Santa Barbara. I made many connections & spent hours searching, bush-whacking and exploring.
There is an interesting side-story to Rock Art. It is jealously guarded by the “Rock Art Police”. Basically, ornery locals and other Rock Art Enthusiasts. I have definitely run afoul of them.
I have a gallery here showing my years exploring Rock Art with prints for sale.
I am also interested in donating the photo collection to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (however have had no luck contacting the right person). I believe I have one of the most extensive collections of photos besides several private Rock Art Hikers.
