Seminole Southeast

Seminole “Everglades Seminole Indians” - http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/southeast/seminole.html “Seminole Indian Fact Sheet” - http://www.bigorrin.org/seminole_kids.htm

Seminole Territory Florida

the famous warrior Osceola masterminded successful battles against five baffled U.S. generals

Traditional Hairstyle Seminole Woman

the construction of open-air, thatched-roof houses known as chickees

Seminole Indians with Dugout Canoes

Green Corn Dance At the Green Corn Dance, Seminoles participate in purification and manhood ceremonies. Tribal disputes are also settled during this time. Men and women separate into different "camps" according to their clans. In earlier times, the Green Corn Dance marked an important occassion when Seminoles from different camps and areas would get together. The gathering will include hours and hours of "stomp dancing," the methodical, weaving, single file style of dancing traditional to Seminole Indians. Following behind a chanting medicine man or "leader," a string of male dancers will "answer" each exhortation, while women dancers quietly shuffle with them, shakers tied to their legs. Several troupes of Seminole Stomp Dancers occasionally appear at public events, demonstrating the "fire ant," "crow," "catfish" and other Seminole social stomp dances.

Legends Late at night around the campfires, Seminole children safely tucked into mosquito nets, used to listen to the elders retelling the old stories. These priceless legends of mischievous Rabbit, the Corn Lady, the Deer Girl, and all the creatures of the Florida Everglades impart valuable lessons about living in harmony with nature and about why the world is the way it is.

Clans: The Seminoles were broken up into several clans Clans: The Seminoles were broken up into several clans. A clan is a family group. Each clan was named after something in nature - Panther, Bear, Bird, Deer, Wind, Snake, Otter. Clan names were very important. Your name announced what clan you belonged to. The Seminoles had a naming ceremony. Only 2 people could have the same name in a clan. When one died, that name was passed on to a boy or girl turning 12. That person carried the clan name until they died, and again the name was passed on. No other tribe or clan could use those names. Clans had songs and special necklaces that also identified them.