The Chumash Indians of Humaliwu at Malibu Lagoon hosted the Cabrillo expedition on its voyage up the west coast of Alta, Calif on Oct. 10-13, 1542. Cabrillo named their village the Pueblo de las Canoas, “The Town of the Canoes.” The Chumash supplied Cabrillo’s ships with fresh water and respite from a lengthy sea journey from Mexico. Five months later on March 8-9, 1543, the Chumash again hosted Cabrillo’s crew at Malibu Lagoon on its return journey to Mexico. March 8-9, 2015 is the 472nd anniversary of this second epic meeting of the Chumash with the Cabrillo expedition at Malibu Lagoon.
These encounters between the aboriginal Chumash Native American Indians and the European cultures of Cabrillo and crew, despite being separated from each other by thousands of miles and centuries, were accommoating and nonconfrontational. Their disparate cultures met twice in a friendly, respectful manner, a fact omitted in many historical interpretations of these epic events. Hospitality and mutual respect fostered peaceful coexistence centuries ago at Malibu Lagoon.
Chumash/Cabrillo deportment in 1542-1543 is an example of how our 21st Century multicultural world could respectfully interact with differing cultures. Individuals, groups, tribes and nations would have to reciprocally make the commitment and effort to respect each other as friends and not enemies. In short, treat others as one wishes to be treated.
Ronald L. Rindge