The First Palomar Astronomers: Payómkawichum or Luiseño Members

In the 1800s, the Payómkawichum or Luiseño people, were spread across what now make up Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties. Payómkawichum or Luiseño people had a deep understanding of the night sky, which played a role in their culture and way of life. Stars were often seen in Luiseño rock art and were part of their oral traditions and songs. These stories connected the Payómkawichum to their ancestral lands since the dawn of time, when the Earth was still forming. Some of their First People figures became central to the Luiseño's celestial mythology. The village of Malava on Palomar Mountain (Paauw) is specifically mentioned in their seasonal songs, along with references to Antares (Nikiilish), a star associated with winter in their sky lore. See more.