Kumeyaay Market
Kosay
About Kosay
Kosay, meaning the drying place, is the name of the Kumeyaay village that stood in the location of Kosay Kumeyaay Market in San Diego’s Old Town, one part of the Kumeyaay presence, since time immemorial, from Oceanside to Ensenada and the from Pacific Ocean to the Colorado River.
Photo: Outside Kosay Kumeyaay Market. On the logo is an e’waa, a home made from willow and tule. Below is opuntia, prickly pear cactus.
Inside Kosay…
you will find a wide variety of traditional basketry, pottery, jewelry, net bags, dolls, paintings, and garments, all original pieces made by contemporary Kumeyaay and Yuman artists of the region using locally sourced materials.
Basketry
Kosay has a wide variety of traditional baskets made by contemporary Kumeyaay and Yuman artists from materials such as willow branches and leaves, or from juncus and yucca fibers and threads, like the basket tray shown here.
Photo: Stalks of wild juncus, or basket rush, that grow in the wetlands along streams and lakes of the region turn yellow, rust red, and brown in summer, lighting up coiled juncus basket trays like this one at Kosay.
Jewelry
Coiled juncus earrings, basket hats, and sandals are among the wearable items found in Kosay.
Photo: coiled juncus basket hat and earrings
Clothing
A selection of one-of-a-kind women’s clothing made by Kumeyaay designers is constantly changing.
Rattles
Made of gourds or gathered deer hooves with willow handles, palm seeds, and beaded, leather, or woven juncus cords, rattles like these on display in the store are traditionally played during ceremonies with bird song and dance.
Photo: These gourd rattles with smooth desert willow handles and beaded or leather cords are for sale at Kosay.
Everyday things
Keychains, necklaces, everyday things…
photo: abalone shell keychains
Martha Rodriguez
(Kumeyaay, San Jose de la Zorra) opened Kosay Kumeyaay Market in 2021 to celebrate the artistry of the Kumeyaay and other Yuman people who live in southern California, northwest Mexico, and western Arizona.
Photo: Martha Rodriguez holding one of her coiled juncus baskets.
Passing cultural knowledge, art, and expertise
When not at Kosay, Martha teaches basketry, pottery, and food culture at Kumeyaay Community College, where she continues the family tradition of passing on the knowledge and expertise of the Kumeyaay people to the next generation.
Photo: Martha Rodriguez teaching Kumeyaay weaving techniques in Dehesa, California.
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Visit Kosay Kumeyaay Market Friday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm, 2720 Calhoun Street, in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
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(760) 445-7726