A Majestic Valley in Yosemite

The view from the entrance to Yosemite Valley with views of El Capitan and Half Dome

14 thoughts on “A Majestic Valley in Yosemite”

For years I have dreamed of going here, I hope the day is approaching. Just the name Yosemite has a beautiful majestic feel to it. Do you know the meaning of the name?

Photographer Ravi says: September 11, 2013 at 10:10 am

Yohhe’meti (Southern Miwok) or Yos.s.e’meti (Central Miwok) originally referred to the Indian tribe that lived in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite means literally “those who kill” (Yos, “to kill,” the modifier e, “one who,” and the plural suffix -meti). It was used by the surrounding Miwok tribes. The Yosemite people were referred to as killers by these surrounding tribes, who feared them. The Yosemite tribe, led by Chief Tenaya, were composed of renegades from multiple tribes, including Mono Paiute from the eastern Sierra. The Paiute were traditional enemies of the more-peaceful Miwok people.

The Yosemite people called Yosemite Valley Awooni or Owwoni for (gaping) “large mouth,” where the stem Awo or Owwo means “mouth” and the suffix ni means “large.” This referred to the appearance of the Yosemite Valley walls from the the village of Ahwahnee, which was located on the valley floor.

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Reply
- Hanne T. Fisker says: September 13, 2013 at 1:30 am
  
  Dear Ravi, thank you much for this thorough reply. It is fascinating how names arises. I would never have guessed ‘kill’ was in the word Yosemite due to the feel of the name. Seems like you are well-explored into the root and history of this. Thank you again. /Hanne
  
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- Photographer Ravi says: September 13, 2013 at 8:50 am
  
  You are most welcome Hanne!
  
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