Luisefio Indians

Luisefio. From the name of the Mission of San Luis Rey de Francia. Also called:

  • Ghecham or Khecham, from the native name of San Luis Rey Mission.

Luisefio Connections. The Luiseno belonged to the Shoshonean division of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family.

Luisefio Location. In the southwest part of the state from the coast toward but wholly west of the divide that extends south from Mount San Jacinto; bounded northward by the cognate Juaneno, Gabrielino, and Serrano and south by the Diegueno.

Luisefio Villages

  • Ahuya, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Akipa, near Kahpa.
  • Alapi, south of the middle course of the San Luis Rey River.
  • Awa’, on a head branch of Santa Margarita River.
  • Hurumpa, west of Riverside.
  • Huyulkum, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Ikaimai, near San Luis Rey Mission.
  • Kahpa, on the middle course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Katukto, between Santa Margarita and San Luis Rey Rivers, north of San Luis Rey.
  • Keish, south of San Luis Rey Mission.
  • Keweyu, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Kolo, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Kuka, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Kwalam, on the lower course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Malamai, northeast of Pala.
  • Meha, on Santa Margarita River northwest of Temecula.
  • Mehel-om-pom-pauvo, near Escondido.
  • Ngorivo, near the headwaters of San Luis Rey River.
  • Pa’auw, near Ta’i. Paiahche, on Elsinore Lake.
  • Pala, at Pala.
  • Palamai, on the coast between Buena Vista and Agua Hedionda Creeks.
  • Panakare, north of Escondido.
  • Pashkwo, near the headwaters of San Luis Rey River.
  • Paumo, east of Pala.
  • Pu-chorivo, on the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Saumai, south of the middle course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Shakishmai (Luisefio or Dieguefio), on the boundary line between the two peoples.
  • Shikapa, west of Escondido.
  • Sovovo, east of San Jacinto.
  • Taghanashpa, east of Pala.
  • Takwi, at the head of Santa Margarita River.
  • Takwishpo-shapila, near Palomar Mountain.
  • Ta’i, close to Palomar Mountain.
  • Tapomai, north of Katukto. Temeku, east of Temecula.
  • Tomkav, west of Pala.
  • Ushmai. near the mouth of Santa Margarita River.
  • Wahaumai, on San Luis Rey River above San Luis Rey.
  • Wiawio, at the mouth of San Luis Rey River.
  • Wissamai, east of San Luis Rey.
  • Woshha, near the upper course of San Luis Rey River.
  • Yami, near Huyulkum.

Luisefio Population. Kroeber (1925) estimates 4,000 to be a liberally allowed maximum for the Luiseno in 1770. The United States Indian Office returned over 2,500 in 1856; 1,300 in 1870; 1,150 in 1885; and in recent returns, less than 500. (See Alliklik.)


Collection:
Swanton, John R. The Indian Tribes of North America. Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 145. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office. 1953.

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