What Food Did the Makah Eat?

Today the Makah people enjoy a regular western diet. But they also hunt elk, deer, rabbit, bison, wild sheep, cougar, whale (humpback, minke, and sometimes grey whales), and fish, as well as gathered many other plants. They planted corn, beans, and squash (known as the three sisters). They would use stone to grind up the corn to eat. They also tamed wild turkeys. Tradionally fish (such as halibut and salmon) and marine mammals served as staple foods in the early Makah diet and remain so today. Halibut were dried or smoked and stored in large quantities to be used in the winter. There were varieties of bottom fish caught year round. Porpoise and fur and harbor seals were eaten fresh or smoked and their skins were cured and used for whaling floats. Seal blubber was rendered into oil which was consumed as a condiment at every meal.

In the early 1900s, the Makah people ate whales, fish, crabs, mussels, and more. Whale was a favorite. Also they hunted elk and deer for the most part. They also gathered seagull eggs and hunted seal. At that time men did all the hunting and women did all the gathering.

In the early 1800s, the Makah people ate the same seafood, hunt elk or deer, and gather berries and other plants. They had a very healthy diet.