Page 18 - zaglauer1995

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In addition to library research, I conducted fieldwork

involving in-depth interviews. Presently, there are only

three Kawaiisu families living in Tehachapi proper. I

interviewed five members from two families. Their ages

ranged from thirty-five years to seventy-eight years of age.

The interviews were conducted in their homes and, with their

permission, tape recorded. The interviews were informal and

unstructured and began with very open questions. The

initial interview questions focused on three areas:

1. Traditional Kawaiisu culture, such as the use
of Kawaiisu language, practice of traditional
ceremonies, and usage of traditional medicines or
foods.

2. Each interviewees' perception of Kawaiisu culture.

3. Each interviewees' life experiences, focusing upon
school, work, religion, and community involvement.

I was interested in the experiences of individuals as

well as their family history and cultural practices. I

asked informants to tell me about their public education,

work history, and church/religious experiences in addition

to family life. Questions about traditional Kawaiisu

culture uncovered generational as well as gender differences

in levels of knowledgeability of traditional practices. I

asked questions such as:

Can you tell me about the practice of traditional
ceremonies by your family, such as singing, dancing,
sweat lodge?, etc.

Such open-ended questions served as jumping-off points for

further elaboration and more specific questioning.