The
Tongva still build ti'at, plank boats similar to the
Chumashtomol (pictured), as part of keeping their cultural practices alive.[6]
Prior to
European colonialism, land travel through Tovaangar largely occurred through an extensive network of trails traveled by
Indigenous peoples throughout the region. Although not often recognized by name, many of these trails became roads and highways that are now used for automobile travel.[7] One of the most significant was the
Mohave trail, which connected Tovaangar to nations in the east along, what the
Spanish referred to as, the
Colorado River.[8]
Travel over water mainly occurred through
tule reed boats for local travel through waterways. For ocean travel, particularly between the mainland and the villages on
Pimuu'nga,
Kinkipar, and
Haraasnga, te'aats or ti'ats were common. These are wooden plank boats built by the Tongva currently in the Ti'at Society that are made air tight with a mixture of
asphaltum and hold up to twelve people. A similar boat is the
Chumashtomol. The Tongva and Chumash are unique in being the only two nations in the region with plank canoes of this kind.[9][6]