Subsistence Maidu

a mortar ground solid rock near stream.

like many other california tribes, maidu hunters , gatherers , did not farm. practiced grooming of gathering grounds, fire primary tool purpose, , tended local groves of oak trees maximize production of acorns, principal dietary staple, according maidu elder marie potts:

preparing acorns food long , tedious process undertaken women , children. acorns had shelled, cleaned , ground meal. done pounding them pestle on hard surface, hollowed-out stone. tannic acid in acorns leached out spreading meal smoothly on bed of pine needles laid on sand. cedar or fir boughs placed across meal , warm water poured over, process took several hours, boughs distributing water evenly , flavoring meal.

the abundance of acorns made possible maidu store large quantities harder times, , used basket-making skills construct above-ground acorn granaries. besides acorns, provided dietary starch , fat, maidu lived in environment rich in plant , animal life, of edible, , supplemented acorn diet edible roots (for nicknamed digger indians european immigrants), fish many streams , rivers, , other plant , animal species. seeds many flowering plants corms many wild flowers provided of sustenance people of area. wildlife of every sort utilized within spiritual reference. deer, elk, antelope multitude of smaller game utilized on regular basis. fish prime source of protein, starting multi run salmon, relying on local indigenous fishes supplied food year round.