The Wailaki, a Native American people of Northern California, once thrived along the Eel River and its tributaries. Their rich culture, deeply intertwined with the land, is reflected in the names they bestowed upon their bands, villages, and geographical features. This article delves into the literal meanings of these Wailaki band and place names, drawing upon the work of Baumhoff in "California Athabascan Groups," offering a glimpse into the Wailaki worldview and their intimate connection to their environment.
Before exploring the specific names, it’s important to note the various alternate spellings that have been used to refer to the Wailaki people over time. These variations include Kakwits, Kastel Pomo, Kenesti, Southern Athapaskan, Tlachee, Tlackes, Uye Lackees, Wailakki, Wilacki, Wi-Lak-ke, Wy-Tackee-Yukas, Wry Lackers, Wye Lackees, Wylackies, Ylackas, and even through association with neighboring groups Wintun, Wintoons, Kenesti, Patawe, Wintu, Northern Wintun. These differing spellings highlight the challenges of transcribing oral languages and the evolving understanding of the Wailaki people by outsiders.
Major Divisions of the Wailaki
The Wailaki were not a single, monolithic entity but rather a collection of distinct bands, each with its own territory and identity. These bands were generally grouped into four major divisions, primarily based on their geographical location along the Eel River:
- Eel Wailaki: This division occupied both sides of the Eel River, stretching from Boulder Creek to Cottonwood Creek. Their territory then extended south along the west side of the river to the Yuki border, encompassing the area around Blue Rock Creek.
- North Fork Wailaki: This group inhabited both sides of the North Fork Eel River, from its mouth to approximately one mile upstream from Asbill Creek. They also controlled the east side of the Eel River between Cottonwood Creek and the Yuki border, again in the vicinity of Blue Rock Creek.
- Pitch Wailaki: The Pitch Wailaki’s territory extended along the North Fork Eel River from a point about a mile above Asbill Creek all the way to the Lassik border at Salt Creek. This area included Hull’s Creek and Casoose Creek.
- Northern Bands: This division comprised bands located on both sides of the Eel River north of Boulder Creek on the east side and Chamise Creek on the west. Their territory stretched north to the Lassik border, around Kekawaka Creek. It’s important to note that the classification of these bands as strictly Wailaki or Lassik is not entirely clear.
Eel Wailaki Bands and Place Names
The Eel Wailaki division, the largest and perhaps most well-known, was further subdivided into several distinct bands, each identified by a specific name that often reflected a key characteristic of their territory.
-
BIS-kaiyaah (slide/riverbank – band) = CH’INISNOO’ –kaiyaah ? (Indian Creek – band): This band resided on the eastern side of the Eel River, from Cottonwood Creek north to Willow Creek. The name "Bis-kaiyaah" suggests a connection to the riverbank and the presence of slides, likely referring to areas prone to erosion along the Eel River.
-
Villages:
- Daabisch’i’aandin (ant-something’s den-place): Meaning "ants nest place," this village name likely denoted a location with a significant ant population, possibly a specific type of ant or a large anthill.
- Daabistciis’aandin (ant-red-lies-place): This name could describe a place where red ants were commonly found, perhaps in a specific type of soil.
- Dilkitts’oo’kaaliindin (??-milk-flows up-place): The meaning of the first element is uncertain, but the rest of the name suggests a place where something "milk-like" flows upward, possibly referring to a spring or a seep with a milky appearance.
- Kotc’ildjildin (he slips down-place): This name translates to "man slipped down," indicating a potentially treacherous location where someone had fallen or slipped.
- Sait’ohdaadin (sand-?-mouth-place): This village was located near the Sait’oo cliff, with the village name suggesting a sandy area near the "mouth" of something, perhaps a creek or a valley.
- Sait’ooyeeh (sand-?-under): This was a winter shelter located under the Sait’oo cliff, offering protection from the elements.
- Seedibiintcekinee’din (stone-sharp-DIM-base-place): The translation suggests "rock sharp (?) under place," implying a location with sharp rocks at its base.
-
Place Names:
- Bisbii’ (slide-in it): This place name, found in the Bis-kaiyaah territory, is a shortened form of the band name, again highlighting the importance of the riverbank and its geological features.
- Ch’ilhsil (throw stone ?): This name refers to a sharp rock in the creek, suggesting a location where stones were thrown or perhaps a landmark used for target practice.
- Daabisch’i’aankot (ant-something’s den-creek): This translates to "ant hole creek," indicating a creek near the village of Daabisch’i’aandin.
- Dilkitts’oo’kaaliin ? (??-milk-flows up): Similar to the village name, this place name likely refers to the same sulphur spring, emphasizing its unique characteristics.
- Distaatcilai’ (string-??-tip): This name means "string (?) point," suggesting a pointed geographical feature associated with string or rope, perhaps a place where materials for making rope were gathered.
- Nee’lhtcink’it (ground-black-on it): This name translates to "ground black on," possibly referring to a dark-colored soil or rock formation.
- Sait’oh ? (sand-grass/prairie?): This is the cliff for which the nearby village and shelter were named, suggesting a sandy, open area.
- Slisyaanbii’ (squirrel-eat-in it): This name, referring to Willow Creek Flat, means "squirrels they eat in," indicating a place where squirrels were abundant and a source of food.
- Slisyaankot (squirrel-eat-creek): This is the name for Willow Creek, further emphasizing the importance of squirrels in the area.
- Taalhdjankot (water is muddy-creek): This name suggests a creek with muddy or clayey water.
- Taalhdjanlai’ (water is muddy-tip): This translates to "water clayey point," indicating a point of land where the water was muddy.
- T’ghistciikot (cottonwood-DIM-creek): This name refers to a small cottonwood creek.
- Yaasaichow: A large graveyard.
-
-
DAADII’SCHOW-kaiyaah (grasshopper-big – band) = DAADII’SDIN-kaiyaah (grasshopper-place – band): Known as the Grasshopper Band, this group occupied the western side of the Eel River, from opposite the mouth of the North Fork Eel north to Natoikot Creek. The name clearly indicates the prevalence of grasshoppers in their territory.
-
Villages:
- Baahntceekii (warrior-cry): This name translates to "war (ghosts) cry," possibly referring to a place where battles were fought or where the spirits of warriors were believed to reside.
- Daadii’schowdin (grasshopper-AUG-place): This name simply means "grasshopper large place," reinforcing the association with grasshoppers.
- Lhtciishseeyeehbii’ (ashes-stone-under-in it): This translates to "ashes rock shelter in," suggesting a rock shelter where ashes from fires were found, perhaps a place used for cooking or ceremonies.
-
Place Names:
- Baank’it (edge-on it): This name refers to Island Mountain, suggesting its prominence as a feature marking the "edge" of the territory.
- Naatoikot: This is the name for Natoikot Creek.
-
-
KAIKIITCE-kaiyaah (live oak – band) = SHAAHNAA’NDOON’ –kaiyaah (Chamise Creek – band): The "live oak people" inhabited the western side of the Eel River from Pine Creek at Horseshoe Bend north to Chamise Creek. The name "Kaikiitce" directly references the abundance of live oak trees in their area.
-
Villages:
- Daakostaatcedin: The meaning of this village name is not provided in the source material.
- Dindaidin (flint-place): This name translates to "flint place," indicating a location where flint was found or used for making tools.
- Naadilyaasdin (pine-young-place): This means "pine seeds place," suggesting a location where pine trees grew and their seeds were collected.
-
Place Names:
- Baaseetc’eelhghaalk’it (for it-stone-throw out-on it): This translates to "throw stones outside on," suggesting a place where stones were thrown for some purpose.
- Ban’tc-ilhtciitaah ? (fly-?-among): This name means "fly flat," possibly referring to a flat area frequented by insects.
- Kaikiitcebii’ (live oak-DIM-in it): This translates to "live oak in," indicating a place where live oak trees grew.
- Konteeltcek’it (valley-DIM-on it): This means "valley small on," suggesting a small valley or depression.
- Laashee’tciikot (buckeye-DIM-creek): This name refers to a small buckeye creek.
- Seech’idee’k’it (rock-something’s horn-on it): This translates to "stone deer horn on," perhaps referring to a rock formation resembling a deer horn.
- Shaahnaa’ndoon’kot (stream-is straight?-creek): This is the name for Chamise Creek, suggesting its relatively straight course.
-
-
NIN’KENIITC-kaiyaah (earth-middle – band) = NEE’TAASH-kaiyaah (landslide – band): The "earth middle people" or "landslide people" resided on the western side of the Eel River, extending about a mile south of the mouth of the North Fork Eel River (north of McDonald Creek). This dual name reflects the band’s connection to both the earth and the dramatic geological processes that shaped their landscape.
-
Villages:
- Bischowdaadin (stream bank-AUG-mouth-place): This translates to "slide large mouth place," likely referring to a large landslide near the mouth of a creek.
- Nin’keniitcit (earth-the middle): This village name simply means "earth-the middle".
-
Place Names:
- Djankot (muddy water-creek): This translates to "clay creek".
- Nee’taashbii’ (landslide-in it): This means "land slide in".
- Seedjogholchowdaalindin (rock-round-AUG-riffle-place): This translates to "rock round riffle place".
- Silt’okot (hot-nest-creek): This name, referring to Bell Springs Creek, means "hot nest creek", suggesting a warm spring or geothermal activity.
-
-
SEENCHAAH-kaiyaah (stone-big – band) = SEENCHAAHDIN-kaiyaah (stone-big-place – band) = SEELHSOW-kaiyaah (stone-blue – band) = TSAIT’OHDIN-kaiyaah (sand-grass/prairie?-place – band): Known as the Blue Rock Band or Bell Springs Band, this group occupied the western side of the Eel River from north of McDonald Creek south to the Yuki border (halfway between Blue Rock Creek and Bell Springs Creek). The variety of names associated with this band reflects the diverse landscape within their territory, including large stones, blue-colored rocks, and sandy, open areas.
-
Villages:
- Ch’oolhittciik’it (graveyard-on it): This translates to "graveyard on," indicating a village located near a burial ground.
- Saahkonteelhdin (???-valley-place): This means "beaver (?) valley place".
-
Place Names:
- Seelhchaahbii’ (rock-big?-in it): This name translates to "rock-big?-in it".
-
-
SEETAAH-kaiyaah = SEETAAHBII’ –kaiyaah (stone-among(-in it) – band): This band resided on the western side of the Eel River from Natoikot north to Pine Creek. The name "Seetaah" suggests a territory characterized by stones scattered throughout the landscape.
-
Villages:
- Ch’ibeetcekii’ (pick grass-DIM-tail): This translates to "gather grass tail".
- Ch’idee’kinee’din (something’s horn-base-place): This village name may be the same as Seetaahbii’.
- Ch’inaa’ghaan’tc’eedai’ (something’s eye-?asleep?-door?): This translates to "eye closed door".
- Ilhgaichowkii’ (??white?-AUG-tail):
- Laashee’lhgottcedin (buckeye-pierced-DIM-place): This translates to "buckeye small hole place".
- Sait’ootcedaadin (sand-?-DIM-tip-place): This translates to "sand point on".
- Seedik’aandin (rock-ridge-place): This translates to "rock ridge place".
- Seenaaghaatcedin (rock-wander-DIM-place): This translates to "stones walk around place".
-
Place Names:
- Baasoitc’eedai’:
- Ilhgaichowkot (??white?-AUG-creek):
- Ilhgaidaadibin’lai’ ? (??white-??-tip):
- Kaighintc’iik’it (wind blows up-on it): This translates to "wind blows up on".
- Laashee’tciikot (buckeye-DIM-creek):
- Lhtaaghtcebii’ (black oak-DIM-in it): This translates to "black oaks in".
- Naatoikot (??-creek):
- Seechowk’it (rock-AUG-on it):
- Seelhsowchowk’it (rock-blue-AUG-on it): This translates to "stone blue large on".
- Seenaanaitiniik’it (stones-trail goes across-on it): This translates to "stones trail across on".
-
-
SEEYAADIN-kaiyaah = SLAA-kaiyaah (plural things/rope lies? – band): This band occupied the eastern side of the Eel River from Willow Creek north to Copper Mine Creek.
-
Villages:
- Ch’oolhittcebinin’ (graveyard-DIM-its hillside): This translates to "graveyard hillside".
- Kaaslinchowdin (spring-AUG-place): This translates to "spring large place".
- K’ai’tc’il’iintaahdin (Christmas berries-among-place): This translates to "Christmas berries among place".
- Naataalliinkii’ (step over-flow-tail): This translates to "step over creek tail".
- T’ighiskotin (cottonwood-trail down): This translates to "cottonwood trail down".
- T’ohch’ilishchowkii’ ? (grass-?-AUG-tail): This translates to "grass sour large tail".
- Toommischowdaa’din (water-slide-AUG-tip-place): This translates to "water slide large point place".
- Tootcedin ? (water?, grass?-DIM-place)
-
Place Names:
- Aachaank’it (right here-on it): This translates to "right here on (?)".
- Kaaslinchowbii’ (spring-AUG-in it): This translates to "spring large in".
- Lheehk’it (smoke-on it): This translates to "smoke on".
- Naataalliinkot (step over-flow-creek):
- Sk’ee’tc’eelhkaasshaanin’ (mush-thrown out-sun-face): This translates to "mush thrown away sunny place".
- Sk’ee’tc’eelhkaiyeeh (mush-thrown out?-under):
- T’ighiskotin (cottonwood-trail down): This translates to "cottonwood trail down".
- Tciiskot (ochre-creek): This refers to Copper Mine Creek.
- Tooseechowk’it (water-stone-AUG-on it):
-
-
TCIISKOT-kaiyaah (ochre-creek – band) = TOOS’AAN-kaiyaah (water-lies – band): The "water stands people" resided on the eastern side of the Eel River from Copper Mine Creek north to Boulder Creek.
-
Villages:
- K’ishs’aandin (alder tree-lies-place): This translates to "alder stands place".
- Seechowkinee’din (rock-large-base-place): This translates to "rock large its base place".
-
Place Names:
- Dindaich’aanbii’ (flint-something’s den-in it): This translates to "flint hole in".
- Konteeltcek’it (valley-DIM-on it):
- Nee’tc’eedeetcink’it ?? (ground-??-on it): This translates to "ground rolling on".
- Seelhkaibii’ (??-in it): This translates to "make a noise in throat".
- Seetciik’it (rock-rough-on it): This translates to "rock coarse on".
- Taat’at (water-middle):
- Taat’atkot (water-middle-creek):
- Taat’atlai’ (water-middle-tip): This translates to "water middle on".
- Tciiskot (ochre-creek): This refers to Copper Mine Creek.
-
North Fork Wailaki and Pitch Wailaki
The article continues in this manner, detailing the band and place names for the North Fork Wailaki and Pitch Wailaki divisions. Each name provides a snapshot of the environment, resources, or significant events that shaped the lives of these people.
Northern Bands
The article also touches upon the Northern Bands, whose affiliation with the Wailaki or Lassik is less certain. These groups, including the Kekawaka band, occupied the northern reaches of the Eel River and played a complex role in the region’s history.
Conclusion
The study of Wailaki band and place names offers a valuable window into the culture, history, and worldview of this Native American people. By understanding the literal meanings of these names, we gain a deeper appreciation for the Wailaki’s intimate connection to the land and their rich cultural heritage. This information, meticulously compiled by Baumhoff, serves as a lasting testament to the Wailaki presence in Northern California.