NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES OF TEXAS SOUTHEASTERN PUEBLO GULF PLAINS

The name “Southeastern People” comes from the Southeastern section of the United States (not the Southeastern part of Texas).

The Southeastern People Caddo Wichita Atakapan

The Southeastern People lived in the Piney Woods area of the Coastal Plains and in the Cross Timbers of the North Central Plains

The Southeastern People’s territory extended into Louisiana The Southeastern People’s territory extended into Louisiana. Arkansas and Oklahoma. This region has a good annual rainfall. This area has a good climate for farming. There are many springs, creeks, streams and several large rivers in this area which provided fresh water for their communities www.texasindians.com

Because they lived in the woods they used wood for many things Because they lived in the woods they used wood for many things. To cut down trees they used stone axes. Here is a stone axe. These were not very sharp and cutting down a tree took a long time and a lot of work. www.texasindians.com

They lived in tall cone shaped grass huts with wooden frames They lived in tall cone shaped grass huts with wooden frames. To build a hut, they made a wood frame and covered it with cut cane and long grasses. www.texasindians.com

They lived in permanent villages They lived in permanent villages. Because they could farm, there was no need to roam around to find their food. They built a winter home with covered walls because it was cold in the winter. They build a summer home right next to their winter home – no walls…early form of A/C?!?

These huts were nicely furnished inside with furniture and were quite comfortable.

The Southeastern People were farmers The Southeastern People were farmers. They planted crops in large clearings in the woods. They raised corn, beans and squash. They also hunted the deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels and other animals in the pine woods around them. www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/caddo/

Their Legacy These people are best known for their early methods of farming, pottery and government

They formed a Confederacy of tribes They formed a Confederacy of tribes. This Confederacy helped protect them in the event of an attack by outsiders. They were governed by a central chief who lived in a centrally located village. There were sub-chiefs that lived in villages along the rivers and lakes in the area. www.texasindians.com

They called the confederacy the Tejas. Tejas is the Spanish spelling of the Caddo word and it is pronounced Te-haas. Sound familiar? TEXAS!!! Yup, Texas is a Caddoan word. It means "those who are friends". The Tejas Caddo tribes were all "friends". www.texasindians.com

Specific Native American Tribes Geographic Region Inhabited Southeastern Plains Puebloan Gulf Specific Native American Tribes Geographic Region Inhabited Types of shelter Lifestyle Food Legacy