Sacred Sites of the Gabrieleno-Tongva

The Gabrieleno-Tongva people are the First people of the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Their traditional lands, which they call Tovaangar, are filled with places that are very special and hold deep spiritual meaning. These Gabrieleno-Tongva sacred sites are a big part of their culture and connect them to their ancestors and beliefs. The Tongva have a special kind of sacred geography, where the land itself tells stories and holds spiritual power. This is an important part of indigenous spirituality and Tongva religion.

What Makes a Site Sacred to the Tongva

A place becomes sacred to the Tongva because it is connected to their history, their stories, and their spiritual beliefs. Some sites are where important events from their creation stories happened. Others were used for ceremonies, gatherings, or as burial grounds. These places are considered living parts of their Native American cultural heritage. The Tongva believe a prophet or deity named Chingichnish taught them how to live and care for the land, and these lessons are taught.

Puvunga: The Place of Emergence

One of the most important Native American sacred places in California is a site called Puvunga. In Tongva stories, this is the "place of emergence," where the world and life began. It is also believed to be the birthplace of their spiritual leader, Chingichnish. This makes Puvunga a very special place, like a church or a temple. Today, this site is on the campus of California State University, Long Beach, and is a focus of Los Angeles sacred sites protection efforts. It is a very important place for the Tongva people. The Significance of the Kuruvungna Springs

Another sacred place is the Kuruvungna Springs in Santa Monica. The name "Kuruvungna" means "a place where we are in the sun." These springs provided fresh water for the Tongva people for thousands of years. Water is a very important part of life, and these springs were a main source for a large village. The springs are a living reminder of the Tongva people's long history in the area and their close relationship with nature. The site is now protected by a foundation that works on cultural preservation of this historical landmark.

The Four Sacred Mountains of the Tongva

The Tongva people also have four sacred mountains that are important to their California Indian spiritual beliefs. These are Mount San Antonio (also known as Mount Baldy), Mount Saddleback, Mount San Gorgonio, and Mount San Jacinto. These mountains, located in the San Gabriel, Santa Ana, and San Bernardino ranges, were seen as powerful, snowy peaks that provided resources and were part of their spiritual world. The area around these mountains, which also includes the Orange County sacred sites, is part of the larger Tovaangar territory.

The Four Sacred Rivers

Just as the mountains were sacred, so were the four main rivers that flowed through Tongva land. The sacred rivers were the Los Angeles River, the Hondo River, the San Gabriel River, and the Santa Ana River. These rivers were like the lifelines of their territory, providing water for people, animals, and plants. The rivers shaped the land and were central to where villages were built.

The Channel Islands: A Spiritual Connection

The Tongva people were also skilled seafarers and had a strong connection to the Southern Channel Islands, including Santa Catalina, San Nicolas, and San Clemente Islands. The Channel Islands' history is deeply intertwined with the Tongva, who used large canoes called ti’ats to travel between the mainland and the islands. They traded goods like soapstone and abalone shells from the islands with other tribes, showing a deep connection to both the land and the sea. The islands were a vital part of their territory and spiritual world.

Protecting Tongva Sacred Sites Today

Today, many of these sites are in danger from new construction and development. The protecting sacred lands movement is very important for the Tongva. Through Native American activism and community efforts, they are working hard to save and preserve these special places. They are trying to get their land back and are also educating people about the importance of respecting and protecting Tongva sacred sites today for future generations. This work is about honoring their ancestors and keeping their culture alive.

Sacred Sites and Important Locations

Here’s a list of some of the most significant sacred sites and cities:

Sacred Sites

• Puvungna (Long Beach): Considered the Tongva place of emergence and a major ceremonial site.

• Kuruvungna Springs (West Los Angeles): A sacred spring still flowing today, maintained by the Gabrieleno/Tongva Springs Foundation.

• Yaanga (Downtown Los Angeles): Once the largest Tongva village, now buried beneath the 101 Freeway.

• Shevaanga (near Whittier Narrows): Close to the second site of Mission San Gabriel.

• Pimu (Santa Catalina Island): A ceremonial center and resource-rich island.

• San Fernando Valley: A cultural crossroads for Tongva, Fernandeño, and Chumash peoples.

Cities and Modern Tributes

• San Gabriel: Home to the Mission San Gabriel and Gabrielino High School.

• Santa Fe Springs: Location of Heritage Park and village replicas.

• San Dimas: Hosts murals and tributes to Tongva figures like Juana Maria.

• Baldwin Park: Features a monument to Toypurina, a Tongva shaman and resistance leader.

• El Monte, Long Beach, and San Nicolas Island: Sites of memorials and historical significance.

Cities in Los Angeles County: Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Cerritos, Claremont, Commerce, Compton, Covina, Cudahy, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, Duarte, El Monte, El Segundo, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Huntington Park, Industry, Inglewood, Irwindale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, La Verne, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Maywood, Monrovia, Montebello, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Palmdale, Palos Verdes Estates, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, South El Monte, South Gate, South Pasadena, Temple City, Torrance, Vernon, Walnut, West Covina, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier.