The Walla Walla is a native North American tribe centered in the U.S. Northwest. The tribe's traditional customs include horse raising, storytelling, arts and crafts, drumming and singing as well as practicing the ancient religion Washat. Today, most members of the Walla Walla tribe live in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, together with the Cayuse and Umatilla peoples.
Horse Raising
In the past, the Walla Walla raised wild horses, which they used for traveling great distances. The Walla Walla traveled to gather seasonal wild foods such as mushrooms, roots and fruits. Horses were also important for travel across the Rocky Mountains, where the Walla Walla traded dried salmon and roots with other tribes for buffalo meat and hides.
Storytelling
The elder people are respected among the Walla Walla. They are the storytellers and teach moral lessons through their stories. Although it was a stronger tradition in the past, storytelling is still an important activity for the Walla Wallas today. The meaning of birth, death and the creation of the world are popular themes in Walla Walla traditional storytelling.
Drumming and Singing
More than entertainment, drumming and singing are important customs of the Walla Walla people. Drumming and singing are present in many of the tribe's religious celebrations. Some songs tell stories about past events; others celebrate births and the approach of a new season. The Walla Walla use two types of traditional drums: the big drum and the hand drum, which is held with one hand and played with the other.
Religious Beliefs
The traditional religion of Walla Walla people is called Washat, or Seven Drum religion. According to its principles, all living creatures have a spirit and therefore deserve respect. Religious celebrations involve drumming and singing, in a sequence of seven songs, ending with a shared meal of salmon and quamash plant bulbs. Religious leaders in the Washat religion are believed to have visionary and prophetic powers.
Arts and Crafts
In the past, the Walla Walla made their clothing and utensils exclusively with materials found in nature. Arrows were made from wood and flint stones, while animal antlers became tools for digging roots. Walla Wallas used animal skins to weave bags and make moccasins and clothes. They used porcupine quills and feathers as decoration. Some of these traditions, such as moccasin making, continue today.
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