SHASTAN

also called Sastise, group of Indian peoples speaking related languages of the Shastan family of Hokan stock and living in the highlands of interior northern California, in the basins of the Upper Klamath and the Scott and Shasta rivers. Their main subdivisions are the Shasta, New River Shasta, Konomihu, and Okwanuchu. Formerly included with the Shastan but now often classified separately are the Achomawi and Atsugewi. The culture of the Shastan was similar to that of the Yurok, though much poorer, for their mountainous villages were generally confined to narrow ridges of canyons, and the food supply was less plentiful. Like the Yurok and Karok, the Shastan subsisted largely on acorns and salmon and traded with other northern Californians using such currency as dentalium shells and scarlet woodpecker scalps. They also had similar villages and dwellings but seem to have built the communal sweat house in each village largely only because, by imitation, they thought it was necessary to have one. Most men put up their own individual makeshift sweat lodges when so inclined. The Shastan, like neighbouring peoples, lived in villages, rather loosely led. They believed generally in guardian spirits and in the powers of shamans, or medicine men, to cure illnesses through ritual.