Southeastern/Gulf Culture Caddo Karankawa Coahuiltecan Atakapas Wichita

Caddo

Painting of Caddo Village

Caddo: The Caddo had a complex social system based on differences of social rank, or status. Positions of power were passed on in a family from one generation to the next. Caddo did do some hunting of deer, bear, and bison, but they were predominately an agrarian society. (agrarian = farming)

Caddo grew several different crops but they mostly relied on corn Caddo grew several different crops but they mostly relied on corn. They grew two corn crops per year. The first one to eat, the second to make into flour.

Caddo corn looked much different than the corn we eat today

The Caddo had a large trade network from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachian Mountains.

Caddo Beads

Caddo Shell Necklace

Karankawa

Karankawa: Karankawa is a broad name which refers to several native American groups who lived along the Gulf Coast and shared a common language. They were nomadic Traveled every few weeks searching for food. (hunting, fishing, gathering) * Moved between barrier islands and inland areas as the seasons and weather changed.

Karankawa: Well known for their use of the dugout canoe that they used extensively for hunting, fishing, and travel. The above watercolor was painted in 1830 and is on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Coahuiltecan Lived on Plains in South Texas and Northern Mexico Nomadic – moved every few weeks searching for food

Cohuiltecan Hunted deer, rabbits lizards, and birds Gathered beans, nuts, roots Built the missions in San Antonio

Atakapas Lived on the bayous of southeastern Texas and Louisiana Much more promenade in Louisiana than Texas Mostly hunted alligator

Wichita Lived in Oklahoma and North Texas Unlike Caddo, Karankawa, Coahuiltecan and Attakapa who were in Texas for centuries, the Wichita came much later to set up a trading network.

Wichita They were not nomadic Farmed and hunted and were know for their grass huts. They remain a prominent part of Oklahoma and Kansas culture still today.