Remember the times before the bustling, diverse metropolis, before Los Angeles became the entertainment capital of the world? Yes, this was a much simpler life. Dive into a world of ancient secrets and indigenous wonders that lay beneath the surface of the city of Angels.These forgotten stories and hidden treasures are held in what was formerly known as Tovaangar.
The ancestral land that we sit on, used to be occupied by the Gabrieliño-Tongva tribe. It covered the cities we now know as Palos Verdes, Malibu, Newport Beach, San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island, Channel Islands, and Cucamonga. They were native to this region for around 7000 years until Spanish conquistadors colonized Southern California during the 18th century.
The Tongva people were skilled hunters and gatherers. They relied on the rich resources of the land and the sea for sustenance. They inhabited the Sepulveda Basin and Arroyo Seco River and established a well networked trading system with neighboring tribes. The Tongva also had an animistic spiritual belief system, with a reverence for the environment and a strong connection to their ancestors. The land and its people translate to "place of the heart,” "place where people gather,” and “people of the earth.” Reflected as stewards of the land, they honored a sacred relationship with plants, ecology, and created a highly influenced community of artwork through artisan crafts, practical and decorative pieces for the home, and functional structures such as boats and ceremonial buildings. This encapsulates the idea that this land was not just a physical space but a place of cultural, spiritual, and communal significance.
In order to connect their sacred relationship to the world around them, there needed to be a leader in place. Their spiritual leaders, or shamans were known as “Hutash,” and played a vital role in the Tongva society, serving as intermediaries between the human world and the world of spirits. It's important to note that the role of the Hutash was not only spiritual but also practical. They were highly respected and held positions of authority within the Tongva society. It was tradition for their heritage to be passed down to the next generation through storytelling, song, dance, and rituals. Sacred sites and locations were chosen to honor these traditions through drumming, healing ceremonies, and celebrations.
The colonization of the Spanish and American settlement led to the disruption of the traditional Tongva way of life, with devastating consequences for their culture, land, and population. Forced labor, diseases, and the loss of ancestral lands led to a decline in the Tongva population and a severe erosion of their cultural practices. The land that had once been a thriving hub of indigenous culture transformed into an iconic, eclectic, paradise of attraction with its own unique identity. The legacy of Tovaangar continues to rise, as we bring it to awareness through efforts of land preservation, culture revitalization, governmental recognition and sovereignty, along with health and education outreach.
As we navigate the present and shape the future, we can learn from our past and recall ancient lost practices in order to live a more honorable life. This requires a deep respect for nature, spiritual mindfulness, and a willingness to learn and connect with one another. Here are some practices you can work on to achieve a higher relationship with spirit and your community:
1) Pray or meditate to connect with the land you currently occupy. Call in guides or ancestors with respect and humility. Ask for permission to live on this land. Ask for forgiveness from the domestication, loss, and pain that was caused as a result of taking over the land.
2) Respectfully take care of the land around you. Leave no trace wherever you go, in fact leave it better than how you found it. Whether this is in the city, your local park, or wildlife landscape. The earth is our home. Just as she provides for us we shall reciprocate that and take care of her.
3) Visit your local sacred sites. Enrich yourself to learn about the history of these landmarks and see how you can connect to areas such as Topanga State Park, Ballona Wetlands, and Catalina Island.
4) Give an offering. In your own way you can give an offering to ancestors, mother earth, animals, or other spirits. This can be done by chanting, singing, praying, meditating and physically leaving some type of memorial in commemoration of your gratitude and love for the life around you. Setting up an altar safely or in a natural location can go along with plants, flowers, water, herbs, food, stones or crystals, and any other objects you feel resonate with the offering.
Always be mindful of your surroundings and seek permission or guidance if needed. If you feel called to work deeper into this process, please feel free to reach out to us at Light of the Shaman and we would be happy to be of resource. The goal is to obtain a long term relationship with all life around us. Return to your sanctuary to connect and observe the growth in your expansion to the micro and macro world that surrounds you. We hope this brought you insight and encourages your heart to open up to a place where we can live in global harmony and unity.