Explore the legacy and lifestyles of the Kawaiisu Tribe
THE ONLY OFFICIAL SITE OF THE KAWAIISU NATION AND IT'S PEOPLE
Explore the legacy and lifestyles of the Kawaiisu Tribe
THE ONLY OFFICIAL SITE OF THE KAWAIISU NATION AND IT'S PEOPLE
The Kawaiisu Nation is the only tribe with a treaty in Ca.
Our Story
The Kawaiisu Nation is the only Treatied Tribe in California, Ratified Treaty (No. 256), 9 Stat. 984, Dec. 30, 1849, Treaty with the Utah Confederation and the United States.They have never given up their territorial rights to any of their ancestral land to the United States.
The Kawaiisu Nation (Mugunuwii) are the ancient tribe of the Great Basin Desert and whose creation site is Coso Range near Ridgecrest California. The Kawaiisu are well known for their mining of obsidian (used to make arrow and spear heads). These are still found at their ancient village sites across Ca.. They had comprehensive knowledge of the plants throughout their territory. They created the po-o-ka-di, the petroglyphs and geoglyphs that are tens of thousands of years old. The po-o-ka-di are the ancient language and writings of the Kawaiisu. A body of factual knowledge written in numeric format to protect and preserve the data for future tribal generations. They cover over 300 miles of modern day Ca. The cover the area now known as Kern , Riverside, San Luis Obispo and LA counties. The drawings are the written history and calendars that combine math, science and religion . The tribe is recognized by the state of California and Federal Courts.
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Protection of Kawaiisu Art and Heritage-175 years of cultural genocide
STOP THE STEAL OF OUR HERITAGE – The Awakening
In late 2023, the Kawaiisu people began to actively protest the Petroglyph Festival( RCVB) and City of Ridgecrest's fake street native art images as cultural misappropriation. The Tribe believes these 2 organizations along with the US NAVY are in violation of the 1948 Treaty banning Genocide which was ratified and in full efect.
The Tribe also began it's legal efforts to stop nonnatives from plagiarizing and commercialization of their rock art images. Those efforts have been mostly successful
The rampant theft of Kawaissu images exploded in 2014.This program was led by economic development and political leaders of Ridgecrest. It is just a continuation of a 175-year cultural genocide started in the 1850's. The Kawaiisu people have lived in the greater Ridgecrest and Kern area for over 56,000 years. The Petroglyphs, or as the Kawaiisu call them: Po-o-ka-di, the writings, that are located on the NAVY base are the math, history, science, religion and language of the Kawaiisu. They deserve to be recognized and respected not hijacked for monetary gain by anyone. All credible maps dating back over 300 years recognize the Ridgecrest and Kern County area and the land of as Kawaiisu territory. The theft of Kawaiisu art and culture is an insult to the Kawaiisu people. It is an attempt to steal and monetize their art and culture for money. The art and heritage are owned by the indigenous people who created them. Not the people who plagiarized this artistic wonder. It is a fraud to steal the Kawaiisu creations. and culture.. This profiteering ignores the indigenous people and their culture that created this art
Kawaiisu Questions and Answers
OUR LAND IS OUR CULTURE
The ancient territory of the Kawaiisu Nation is imprinted with the geoglyphs and petroglyphs their ancestors created near the Colorado River and Las Vegas to the east and across the Great Basin Desert west to Long Beach and San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Ocean. It includes all of modern-day Kern ,Riverside, San Luis Obispo and northern LA counties . The distribution of obsidian is still found at their ancient village sites. It was also traded to other tribes throughout California.
In 1777 Father Garces map documented the Kawaiisu territory. The U.S. further documented Kawaiisu territory in the Cession maps that accompanied their 1849 treaty.
Are the Kawaiisu a federally recognized tribe?
No. They are a California and international recognized Tribal Nation. They were recognized by both Spain andMexico. They are a Treaty Tribe that signed it's 1st treaty with the Spanish before California was even a state. Recent changes in Federal law makes being recognized a non-issue for tribal ownership and rights.
Are the rock drawing in the canyons near Ridgecrest Ca. created by the Kawaiisu?
Yes. That area is the most sacred site to the Kawaiisu. It is the site of their creation, just like the Garden of Eden is to many western religions. The Kawaiisu created the rock art over thousands of years.
Why are many of us just hearing about the Kawaissu recently?
The Kawaiisu people and their culture was intentionally subject to a mass genocide starting in the 1850's that lasted 175 years. The European settlers working with Union troops enslaved most of the Kawaiisu in concentration camps with a 96% 10 year fatality rate. The ones who refused to go were hunted down for .25 per scalp and some were even crucified.. Until recently many were poorly educated and intimated. The Kawaiisu have awakened and are here to stay!
What are 3 an interesting facts about Kawaiisu culture and history?
1)Unlike most western cultures, the Kawaiisu is a matriarchal societal structure run by powerful females. All Tribal enrollment flows through mothers. Major tribal decisions were only made with support of female tribal leaders.
2) The Kawaiisu Nation was respected were treated much better when under Spanish Control than by the United States. Confederate troops in California treated the Kawaiisu people much better than Union troops.
What word do the Kawaiisu use for the rock drawings they created in Kern County?
P0-0-ka-di is what they call rock drawings. The term petroglyphs is a made up English word.
Why do the Kawaiisu object to the Images displayed on Ridgecrest Streets.
1) Images were copied without their permission.
2) The City displays are plagiarized copies of real Kawaiisu rock art that are thousands of years old
3)The displays are out of context and insulting to these Kawaiisu religious symbols.
4) Non - natives are profiteering off Kawaissu rock art.
5) This native art theft is a violation of both California Sate and Federal Law.
6) KAWAIISU OWN THE ORIGINAL ART AND IMAGES!
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COSO PEOPLE? THE KAWAIISU ARE THE COSO PEOPLE. THE COSO PEOPLE WERE KAWAIISU MEMBERS FROM A PERMENANT VILLAGE IN THE COSO RANGE. IN 1863 AFTER THE MASSACRE AT TILLIE CREEK CROSSING, UNION TROOPS AND SETTLER MALITIAS HUNTERED DOWN THE KAWAIISU PEOPLE IN THE COSO RANGE. THE KAWAIISU MEN WERE MURDERED AND THE FEMALES AND CHILDREN WERE TAKEN TO A PISON CAMP AT ft. INDEPENDENCE. IN JULY 1863,THEY WERE MARCHED ON FOOT OVER 300 MILES TO THE TEJON PRISON CAMP NEAR MODERN DAY BAKERFEILD CA.. THE MARCH LED TO THE DEATHS OF OVER 90% KAWAIISU OF THE NATIVES WHO BEGAN THAT TRIP.
OUR HISTORY
Starting in the 1850’s, a 175 year campaign began to erase the Kawaiisu people and their culture. It was a deliberate genocide based on one thing, European settler greed. The goal was to steal Kawaiisu land and water. It was to be given to the new European settlers for mining, farming and oil production.
In 1850s all Kawaiisu were forcibly removed from the land by the State of Ca and Union solders. Most were moved to eastern most Kern County. In the year 1850, the State passed law (California Act GPI) to legalize the enslavement of the Kawaiisu and other natives in State run concentration camps.
In that camp The Kawaiisu had a 96% 10year mortality rate. The Kawaiisu who refused to be enslaved were legally hunted down for .25 per scalp. Over 100,00 Kawaiisu died at the hands of Union troops and their authorized militias .
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE KAWAIISU
1)The Kawaiisu built sturdy tule/ reed boats that during wet times traveled over 300 miles.
The tule plant/ reed grows throughout southern Ca. These trips often started in Bishop and then to China Lake and ended their journey in Death Valley near Barstow Ca. These tule/reed boat trips continued to be used until about 1900 when the area entered an extended dry period. Kawaiisu members have maintained these skills to make tule/reed boats to this day.
2) The Kawaiisu have created the Petroglyphs/Po-o-ka-di or native rock art over 300 miles of Ca.
The Kawaiisu rock art near Ridgecrest is the largest concentration of well preserved rock art in the world. The US Navy prevents the public and the Kawaiisu access to this special place. It is the site of Kawaiisu creation. Much like the Garden of Eden is for Christians and Jews. It is the most most sacred site for the Kawaiisu.
3) For thousand s of years the Kawaiisu have mined obsidian for arrow and spear heads from a mine.
The mine is located near Ridgecest Ca in the Coso Range. Kawaiisu arrow and spear heads have been found throughout Ca and across the western US along Traditional Kawaiisu native trading routes. Tribal members would roll large obsidian rocks weighing thousands of pounds up mountains and through valleys .. They moved the rocks in their territory to locations where the Kawaiisu artisans would make the final products.
4) Kawaiisu basket makers were recognized as the best in the California.
The baskets were weaved in complex patterns and styles unique to the Tribe and are displayed at major museums across the US . The baskets had up to 1,200 stiches per square inch. They sell for over $100,000 in todays native art market.
5) It is not widely understood in the academic world that the Coso People were Kawaiisu
The Coso People were simply from a Kawaiisu village in the Coso Mountain Range . Throughout the Kawaiisu territory there were different villages that spoke a common language and had the same religious belief and cultural traditions..
5) It is not widely understood in the academic world that the Coso People were Kawaiisu
The Coso People were simply from a Kawaiisu village in the Coso Mountain Range . Throughout the Kawaiisu territory there were different villages that spoke a common language and had the same religious belief and cultural traditions..
MORE ABOUT US
Our Philosophy
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
Above is a 2024 well attended discussion held at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest .As Kawaiisu, we believe that education is the key to unlocking human potential. We strive to create a cultural and learning environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and supportive. We recognize that every individual including indigenous peoples
Above is a 2024 well attended discussion held at the Maturango Museum in Ridgecrest .As Kawaiisu, we believe that education is the key to unlocking human potential. We strive to create a cultural and learning environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and supportive. We recognize that every individual including indigenous peoples have unique talents and strengths,. We aim to help all people to discover and develop their full potential.
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
The leaders of this rural City have unethically and illegally misappropriated our religious , cultural , mathematic and scientific images for a wrongful purpose and their economic gain . They steal our images and forget the Kawaiisu people. This was not a mistake but a series of intentional acts meant to enrich the city and it's insi
The leaders of this rural City have unethically and illegally misappropriated our religious , cultural , mathematic and scientific images for a wrongful purpose and their economic gain . They steal our images and forget the Kawaiisu people. This was not a mistake but a series of intentional acts meant to enrich the city and it's inside players. From the beginning , the was a plan to knowingly steal native religious images and profit from them. Even today, the cover up of their actions continue
Our Goal
Our ongoing protests in Ridgecrest , Ca.
Our Goal
To retain and regain all our religious and cultural property including images back from museums and academic institutions that took our property without permission. It is our right under Ca , Federal and international law. No one should profit from our people's work but the the Kawaiisu people.
Return native salmon and steelhead to t
To retain and regain all our religious and cultural property including images back from museums and academic institutions that took our property without permission. It is our right under Ca , Federal and international law. No one should profit from our people's work but the the Kawaiisu people.
Return native salmon and steelhead to the Kern River. Before the discover of gold in the 1850's , the Kern River had an annual run of Chinook salmon and ocean running steelhead . The crude mining techniques plus the theft of the the historically available water in the Kern whipped out both fish species. The Kawaiisu's water was taken for mining and agriculture. It took only a few years to wipe out the salmon and steelhead run. The completion of the removal of the 4 dams on the Klamath River has lead to the return of the free swimming Chinook in less than 60 days.
About The Kawaiisu Nation
How many living Kawaiisu citizens are there today ?
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
The estimates are that that the Kawaiisu have well over 100,000 eligible citizens based on maternal blood lineage records held by the tribe. One family alone has over 30,000 Kawaiisu. Large numbers of Kawaiisu families live in Kern, Riverside ,San Luis Obispo and LA Counties. A few families live in INYO and Tulare Counties.
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
The Kawaiisu are a sovereign nation. They never gave up their ancestral land to the US for a reservation Unlike many tribes in the United States, the Kawaiisu were an original treaty Nation. Therefore, the Kawaiisu never sought Federal recognition. They are co-equal Nation to the Unite States. To this day, the Kawaiisu Nation never
The Kawaiisu are a sovereign nation. They never gave up their ancestral land to the US for a reservation Unlike many tribes in the United States, the Kawaiisu were an original treaty Nation. Therefore, the Kawaiisu never sought Federal recognition. They are co-equal Nation to the Unite States. To this day, the Kawaiisu Nation never took part in any census. In fact, they often avoided being counted based on fear of retribution.
Do some Kawaiisu eligible citizens join other Federally recognized tribes?
Why have the Kawaiisu numbers been historically undercounted and underestimated?
Do some Kawaiisu eligible citizens join other Federally recognized tribes?
Yes, sometimes to get Federal benefits. In the the United States, any Native American may be eligible to join another Federally recognized tribe if certain pre- conditions are satisfied. This is a complex matter as each tribe controls its own roles. The citizens of the Kawaiisu Nation are truly unique in that they have maintain all thei
Yes, sometimes to get Federal benefits. In the the United States, any Native American may be eligible to join another Federally recognized tribe if certain pre- conditions are satisfied. This is a complex matter as each tribe controls its own roles. The citizens of the Kawaiisu Nation are truly unique in that they have maintain all their ancestral rights. They chose to keep their rights and not become sub servant sovereign to the UNITED STATES.
Kawaiisu News
Our silence ends and the Kawaiisu people's awakening begins.
Results come fast to the Kawaiisu Nation's political awakening
Our silence ends and the Kawaiisu people's awakening begins.
After a 175 year wait , on November 4 and 5 2023 , the Kawaiisu people, know locally as the Coso people utilized their First Amendment rights under the US Constitution, to protest the theft of Kawaiisu art, religion , science culture at the Petroglyph Festival in Ridgecrest Ca This event was run by the RCVB and other business int
After a 175 year wait , on November 4 and 5 2023 , the Kawaiisu people, know locally as the Coso people utilized their First Amendment rights under the US Constitution, to protest the theft of Kawaiisu art, religion , science culture at the Petroglyph Festival in Ridgecrest Ca This event was run by the RCVB and other business interest in Ridgecrest. From it's beginning, the hateful event has excluded the only local tribe.
Stop the Steal Protests continue into 2024
Results come fast to the Kawaiisu Nation's political awakening
Our silence ends and the Kawaiisu people's awakening begins.
In 2024, the Kawaiisu Nation began an active campaign to have the City of Ridgecrest remove fake and plagiarized Kawaiisu street art. The religious rock art was placed down the middle of Ridgecrest City streets. Many of the religious rock art images were altered by non natives for commercial purposes in an offensive and out of con
In 2024, the Kawaiisu Nation began an active campaign to have the City of Ridgecrest remove fake and plagiarized Kawaiisu street art. The religious rock art was placed down the middle of Ridgecrest City streets. Many of the religious rock art images were altered by non natives for commercial purposes in an offensive and out of context manner. Under California law these fake images are a hate symbol and may be a hate crime.
Results come fast to the Kawaiisu Nation's political awakening
Results come fast to the Kawaiisu Nation's political awakening
Results come fast to the Kawaiisu Nation's political awakening
After the Kawaiisu filed a written objection to the local visitor center in Violation of a 190 federal law regulating the sale of indigenous art. On April 4 , 2024,the RIDGECREST VISITOR BUREAU informed the Kawaiisu Nation that they would stop selling fake or plagiarized Kawaiisu or other non native art in their gift shop.
PO-O-KA-DI / ART,SCIENCE, RELIGION AND HISTORY OF OUR PEOPLE
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KAWAIISU OVER TIME
WE WERE HERE FIRST!
OUR LAND WAS WET
OUR LAND WAS WET
WE WERE HERE FIRST!
OUR LAND WAS WET
The Kawaiisu Nation and their people have lived on their land for 10,000+ years in complete harmony with the land.. The map illiterates a time when the land was full of marshes , lakes and rivers. The Kawaiisu traveled the entire area with tule/ reed boats. They traveled hundreds of miles each season hunting and trading. This all came
The Kawaiisu Nation and their people have lived on their land for 10,000+ years in complete harmony with the land.. The map illiterates a time when the land was full of marshes , lakes and rivers. The Kawaiisu traveled the entire area with tule/ reed boats. They traveled hundreds of miles each season hunting and trading. This all came to an end when settlers and LA Water and Power drained the water for mining, agriculture and development. Many animal species disappeared like antelope, steelhead and salmon.
WE WERE HERE FIRST!
WE WERE HERE FIRST!
WE WERE HERE FIRST!
We believe that learning should be engaging, interactive, and fun. That's why we have developed a unique approach to education that combines traditional teaching methods with cutting-edge technology. Our courses are designed to be interactive, hands-on, and tailored to the needs of each individual student.
2024 news update about the Kawaiisu
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
Return of the salmon to the Kern River
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
Recent news update
2024 Petroglyph is a war crime against the Kawaiisu PRESS RELEASE: 10/29/2024 KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA. KAWAIISU WILL NOT BE INTIMINATED BY THE RIDGECREST POLICE THREATS TO ARREST TRIBAL MEMBERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS PROTESTING AT A PUBLIC PARK OPEN TO ALL OTHER CITIZENS AT THE 2024 PETROGHLYPH FESIVAL. THE KAWAIISU MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE IN KERN COUNTY. On Thursday Oct. 24 ,2024 at 3 pm an authorized representative of the Kawaiisu Nation met with the Ridgecrest Police Dept. and was verbally informed that if they entered Leroy Jackson Park, a public unfenced park during the Petroglyph Festival which is open to all other Ridgecrest Citizens they would face immediate arrest. This would be done in concert with the Ridgecrest Visitor’s Bureau, a state agency.
Recent news update
PRESS RELEASE: 10/20/2024
KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA.
The Kawaiisu Nation call’s 2024 Petroglyph Festival “A war crime against its people and culture. The Ridgecrest Visitors Bureau supported by local hotels is using this event to try to erase the existence of the only local tribe”
The Nation will hav
PRESS RELEASE: 10/20/2024
KAWAIISU NATION -THE ONLY LOCAL NATIVE TRIBE OF RIDGECREST, CA.
The Kawaiisu Nation call’s 2024 Petroglyph Festival “A war crime against its people and culture. The Ridgecrest Visitors Bureau supported by local hotels is using this event to try to erase the existence of the only local tribe”
The Nation will have a strong and active on the ground protest against this hateful event on November 2 and 3 2024. The Kawaiisu Nation disputes any claim that the Petroglyph Festival has made any meaningful changes to enhance the events authenticity. In reality, the festival organizer, the Ridgecrest Visitors Bureau and local hotels has only made the festival more of a hateful cultural fraud.