The Pomo People: Indigenous Heritage of the Mendocino Coast

The Mendocino Coast has been home to the Pomo people for over 10,000 years. The Central Pomo, Northern Pomo, and Kashaya Pomo communities thrived along the coast and inland valleys, developing sophisticated cultures deeply connected to the land and sea.

Traditional Life

The Pomo were master basket weavers, creating some of the finest baskets in North America using sedge roots, willow shoots, and bulrush roots.

Contemporary Pomo Culture

Today, several Pomo tribes maintain their presence in Mendocino County, continuing cultural traditions including basketry, dance, and language preservation.