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Mississippi’s Native American Tribes. Introduction. Mississippi was once completely inhabited by Native Americans. They were the first people to live in the state we now call home. The word “Mississippi” is actually a Native American word that means “father of waters”.
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Introduction • Mississippi was once completely inhabited by Native Americans. • They were the first people to live in the state we now call home. • The word “Mississippi” is actually a Native American word that means “father of waters”. • There are many areas within Panola County that had a large Native American population.
Tribal Map of Mississippi Question 1: What tribe was located in the Panola County area? Answer 1: Chickasaw
Biloxi Tribes The Biloxi tribe lived in the Southern portion of Mississippi and Louisiana. Their name means “first people” The first recorded sightings of the Biloxi Indians came in 1733 on a Dutch map, but it is believed that this tribe met explorer Iberville in 1699. The tribe eventually left Mississippi to settle in the modern-day state of Louisiana.
Chocchuma Tribe • Their name translates to mean “Red Crawfish People”. • Possible descendants of the Chakchiuma tribe. • Lived along the Yalobusha River and portions of the Tallahatchie River. • According to Indian legend, this tribe was wiped out in a battle, leaving only their name behind. The Choctaws and Chickasaws joined together to fight against the Chocchuma. • In 1722, there were only an estimated 150 left.
Tunica Tribe Question 2: Where have you heard the word Tunica before? Answer 2: The town of Tunica, Mississippi. There is also a county named Tunica. This area is now known for its casinos!
Tunica Tribe • Lived along both the Arkansas side and the Mississippi side of the Mississippi River. • Met Hernando DeSoto on his exploration in 1541. • The villages had circle-shaped homes with an open area in the middle of the village. • Their homes were built on cane stalks with cone-shaped roofs.
Tunicas continued • Corn & squash were main foods. • MEN did most of the gardening. Also hunted deer, bear, and some buffalo. • WOMEN gathered fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, roots, and herbs. • Evaporated salt water from natural salt springs to make salt.
Tunicas Cont. • Men wore deerskin loincloths. • Women wore short skirts with fringe. • Both men and women were tattooed. • In the winter they wore cloaks of mulberry cloth, woven turkey feathers, or muskrat fur.
Tunica Tribe Religion Believed in the power of Nature. The Sun was the female god. Thunder and fire were seen as spiritual forces. Each village had its own temple with a sacred fire where rituals were performed.
Tunica Leaders • Tribe leaders inherited position. • Warriors were honored for achievements and given distinctive tattoos showing the honor. • People could move up the social latter by completing various activities.
Chickasaw Tribe First recorded contact with the Chickasaw was in December of 1540 by explorer Hernando DeSoto. The tribe claimed land in parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Chickasaw • Became known as one of the most fearsome Indian Tribes in the Southeast. • Due to settlers moving westward, the US began forcing the Chickasaw from their home. • The tribe eventually joined the Choctaw tribe.
MS Choctaw Tribe Mississippi Band of Choctaw is currently located in Philadelphia, Mississippi. This is land set aside for the Choctaw Reservation. Members of the Choctaw tribe live, work, and go to school on the reservation.
Choctaw Choctaw women tended to the village and farming, while the Choctaw men fought in battles and protected the tribe.
Choctaw Marriage • When a Choctaw man decides he wants to marry, he chooses a lady to court. • He then visits her family. While talking with her family, he would toss a rock in her direction to let them know he was proposing marriage. • If the lady accepted the proposal, she would toss the rock back, but if not, she would rise and leave the room. • A few days later the young man would return with gifts for the family and officially ask for her hand in marriage.
Natchez Tribe The Natchez Indians were mound builders who lived in Southwest Mississippi. The tribe was recorded to have lived from around 700 to 1730, but were most powerful in the 1500s.
Natchez • Natchez were Mound Builders. • Built the 2nd largest Native American ceremonial mound in the United States. • It’s called Emerald Mound. • Emerald Mound is 35 feet high and covers 8 acres.
Natchez • The Natchez people worshipped the Sun God. • According to Natchez legend, 2 new comers joined an existing Natchez village. The man and the woman were so bright it look like they had come from the sun. The man gave the people rules they should live by and rules for worship. He also stated that the ruler should be called the Great Sun. • Natchez social status was based on the people relationship to the Great Sun.
Natchez Great Sun • The Great Sun lived a great life and was treated like a god. • He was carried on a litter where ever he wanted to go. • He lived in a large house that sat on top of his own mound. • When he died, he never went into the after-life alone. He was escorted by family, friends, and servant, all of whom had to be killed to go with him to the after-life.
Natchez • The Natchez raised crops of corn, beans, squash, and other vegetables. • They also grew tobacco. • For fun, as well as survival, the Natchez would hunt and fish. • The Green Corn ceremony marked the end of their year-long religious events and ceremonies.
Native American Mounds • Could be flat-topped pyramids, rounded domes, or small hills. • Could stand alone or be in groups. • Purposes: burial grounds, place for powerful leader, or worship area. • Were seen as symbols of “Mother Earth”, the giver of life.
Photos Jewelry Choctaw Baskets Arrowheads
Native American Info. • The Cherokee people were known for making their own dye: made from weeds and barks of trees. Colors: Red, Yellow, & Brown • Marbles and Stickball were important Native American games. • The “Medicine Man” could be either a man or woman, depending on the tribe. • Flint was considered to be the best stone for making arrowheads.
