Introduction
The Miwok were a Penutian speaking people who lived in three areas of early California - Coast, Lake, and Interior Miwok groups are recognized by Anthropologists. For our study, we will focus on a specific group of the Interior Miwok, those who lived in the foothills of the Sierras, on the western side, for many thousands of years. The word 'Miwok" is this peoples name for their people, and for people in general. They also had names for each area of their settlements that gave them a geographic distinction among the Interior Miwok who lived primarily in the Sierra foothills.In Yosemite Valley, over thirty village sites have been found of varying age. The valley was divided in the Miwok view of the world in two parts, that side north of the Merced River, and the side south of the Merced River. The Miwok living on the north side of the river identified themselves s members of the Bear Clan. The Miwok living on the south side of the river identified with Coyote as the totem for their group. When a young boy or girl found it was time to see ka mate, they could not marry with in their Bear or Coyote clan, they had to seek a partner form across the river.
