HUPA

Indians of the Northwest Pacific Coast of North America who lived along the lower Trinity River in California and spoke Hupa, an Athabascan language. They were culturally similar to the Yurok Indians. They often traded with the Yurok, exchanging acorns and inland food for redwood canoes, saltwater fish, mussels, and seaweed; they sometimes intermarried and attended each other's ceremonials. Hupa villages were located on the river bank and consisted of family dwellings, where women slept and possessions were stored; sweathouses, semisubterranean lodges where men slept and took sweat baths; and small menstrual lodges for women. Subsistence was based on elk and deer hunting and trapping, salmon fishing, and acorn gathering. Fine basketry was made by twining segments of certain roots, leaves, and stems around prepared shoots. Wealth was based on the ownership of dentalium shells, which were probably received in trade from the Yurok, and woodpecker scalps. The headman of the village was the richest man; his power descended with his property to his son, but anyone else who acquired more property might obtain the dignity and power. Personal insult, injury, or homicide were usually settled through the payment of blood money (q.v.). The recitation of magical formulas was an important part of Hupa religion. Professional shamans diagnosed and treated diseases; fees were paid in dentalium shells or deerskin blankets. Three major dances were held annually for the benefit of the community, as well as spring and fall ceremonial feasts. This southern section of the Northwest Coast culture area lacked the potlatch (q.v.), masked dances, carved columns (totem poles), and other carved art of northern groups.