What the Plaque/Guide Says:

In the Kawaiisu language, Tomo-Kahni means winter village. The site’s location between the coast and desert allowed the site occupants to hold an important place for trade between these areas and the southern Central Valley. The sacred rock art found throughout the site contains stylistic elements from the Great Basin and Central Valley culture areas. The site has been an area of extensive occupation and contains important information for better understanding Kawaiisu community and village life locally as well as statewide.

More about California Historical Landmark #1054:

The Kawaiisu moved into this area around 1,500 years ago! They were actually not a tribe but a tribelet, which means this peaceful gathering tribe did not have a strict social hierarchy. In fact, the same could be said for many of California’s Native Americans!

As decided by Coyote in ages past, and explained by the ranger, the Kawaiisu made abundant use of the wild acorns, junipers, and chia plants that grew in this area. They would spend hours blanching acorns in the nearby stream and pounding them into flour at their grinding rocks, then make mush and cakes flavored with berries, sometimes with a side of deer!

Their willow basketry was unique among California’s tribes as well, since their basket coils would sometimes wrap around the foundation instead of anchoring to the previous row! They colored their baskets with Joshua tree, yucca, and devil’s claw, and used them for all kinds of things, from carrying babies to storing water!

The Kawaiisu say that the extraordinary pictographs preserved here at Tomo-Kahni were made by Rock Baby! No one knows exactly what they mean, but it’s worth leaving an offering of acorn powder for the ancestors when you visit. Just make sure you don’t touch them, or you’ll go blind!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

• Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
• Volunteer at the Tehachapi Museum!
• Become a member of the Tehachapi Heritage League!
• Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!

How Do I Get There?

Start your tour at the Tehachapi Museum
310 S Green St
Tehachapi, CA 93561
(Take Me There!)

When Should I Visit?

Visit the Tehachapi Museum website to book your tour of Tomo-Kahni!