The Mono (/ˈmoʊnoʊ/ MOH-noh) are a Native American people who traditionally live in the central Sierra Nevada, the Eastern Sierra (generally south of Bridgeport), the Mono Basin, and adjacent areas of the Great Basin.

They were predominantly sedentary and settled in fixed settlements along rivers or springs (or artificial canals).

The more intensive arable farming by means of partly artificial irrigation enabled them to build up food reserves and thus, in contrast to the "Western Mono bands", to feed larger groups.

Their self-designation is Numa, Numu, or Nüümü, meaning "People" or Nün'wa Paya Hup Ca'a' Otuu'mu—"Coyote's children living in the water ditch".

In the winter, several families descended into the river valleys and built together fixed settlements, most of which were used for several years.

In the summer, the family groups migrated as hunters and gatherers to the more sheltered and cooler altitudes of the mountains.

Mono traditions still in practice today include fishing, hunting, acorn gathering, cooking, healing, basket making, and games.

Ceremonies are performed at the Sierra Mono Museum[15] in North Fork, California, and an annual Indian Fair Days festival takes place on the first weekend of August every year to revive many traditions and rituals for tribal kin and tourists alike to enjoy.

Due to the geographical separation as well as the interaction with neighboring tribes and peoples (incorporation of loanwords and/or frequent Bilingualism) two very different dialects developed in the course of time which are difficult to understand for each other.

[citation needed] The Big Pine Band has 462 tribal members, but it is difficult to determine how many of these are Mono.