MONOCULTURE | A Recent History

Ishi (ca.1860-1916) was known as the last survivor of Yahi people, largely massacred by white settlers during California’s genocides. Having spent most of his life in concealment from genocidal attacks on his people, desperate and starving, he came out of hiding in 1911 near the valley town Oroville, California. He was taken away for safety to the University of California’s Museum of Anthropology where he lived the rest of his life under the care of the University staff. Theodora Kroeber’s book tells Ishi’s story in two parts: the first one, titled “Ishi the Yahi”, is a reconstruction of the culture and life of the Yahi people, while the second, “Mister Ishi”, describes how he has come to be called Ishi (which means "man" in Yana language) as well as his encounter with modern American culture during his life at the museum. In 2003, the sons of Theodora Kroeber, Clifton and Karl Kroeber co-edited and published an anthology of essays on Ishi's story. The volume gathers Ishi’s story and its perception by numerous professionals, including contributions by Indigenous American writers and artists.