Maidu ('man', Indian' ). A tribe
formerly dwelling in Sacramento valley and the adjacent Sierra
Nevada in California. This single tribe constitutes the entire
Pujunan linguistic family of Powell, all the divisions of which
called themselves Maidu, and distinguished themselves one from
another by their local names only. The Maidu proper, comprising
the divisions north of Bear river valley, were formerly
considered a different stock from the Nishinam, who are now
recognized as the southern branch of the family. The names of
the Maidu villages and of the inhabitants were usually local
place names. It maybe doubted if, in the following list of the
divisional and village names, the former have a greater value
than the latter or were in fact anything more than the larger
villages with perhaps outlying settlements of a more or less
temporary character.
Divisions: Cohes, Cushna, Hoitda, Honkut, Kiski, Konkau,
Kulomum, Molma, Nimsewi, Pakamali, Tsaktomo, Tsamak, Tsulumsewi,
Tummeli, Ustoma, Willi, Yumagatok, and Yunu. Villages:. Bamom, Bauka, Bayu, Benkomkomi, Botoko, Eskini,
Hembem, Hoako, Hoholto, Hokomo, Hopnomkoyo, Indak, Kalkalya,
Kotasi, Kulaiapto, Kulkumish, Michopdo, Mimal, Molma, Nakankoyo,
Oidoingkoyo, Okpam, Ola, Ololopa, Onchoma, Opok, Otaki, Paki,
Panpakan, Pitsokut, Pulakatu, Sekumne Sisu, Silongkoyo, Siwim
Pakan, Sunusi, Tadoiko; Taikus, Taisida, Tasikoyo Tchikimisi,
Tishum, Tomcha, Totoma, Tsam Bahenom, Tsekankan, Tsuka Wokodot,
Yalisumni, Yamako, Yauko, Yiikulme, Yodok, Yotammoto, Yumam, and
Yupu.
