The Yokuts are a group of Native American tribes originally from the San Joaquin Valley and surrounding areas in California. They spoke several dialects of the Yokuts language, which is part of the larger Penutian language family. Traditionally, the Yokuts were hunter-gatherers, relying on local resources such as fish, game, and wild plants for sustenance. Yokuts society was organized into various tribes, each with its own territory and leadership. They built semi-permanent villages near rivers and lakes, using natural materials for their homes. The Yokuts also engaged in trade with neighboring tribes, exchanging goods like acorns and baskets, which were important to their culture and economy.