Monterey’s First Fishermen
Historic Cannery Row
For thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1602, the Rumsien people fished Monterey Bay. These native people caught and used nearly every species of fish and shellfish found in the bay. Sea otters, sea lions and seals were dietary staples, and their pelts were made into blankets and capes for trade.
This drawing done in 1784 by Spanish artist Jose Cardero [bottom] depicts a young Rumsien girl in traditional dress. The connection between the Rumsien people and the sea is evident in the girl’s apparel, which includes a sea otter wrap over a tule skirt, and Olivella and abalone shell necklace and matching ear pendants. Her intricately woven basket is a hallmark Rumsien handcraft.
As hunter gatherers, the Rumsien people had no metal, wove no cloth, made no pottery and grew no crops. However, with natural materials at hand, they built temporary dwellings, fabricated boats and tools for fishing and hunting, and crafted beautiful baskets, which were used for hauling, storing and cooking.
Marker is at the intersection of Cannery Row and Hoffman Avenur on Cannery Row.
Courtesy hmdb.org
