NATIVE AMERICAN GROUPS (Indian tribes) IN TEXAS

Native Texans of the GULF COAST COAHUILTECANS Kwa–WHEEL– tek-uns Lived in the dry South Texas Coastal Plains between San Antonio & Corpus Christi. Hunter-gatherers = used bow & arrows to hunt deer and small animals such as rabbits, javelina, snakes, lizards, armadillos, worms, snails, spiders, insects. no one animal common enough for steady food source…ate many things! Women gathered leaves, nuts, cactus fruits, beans of mesquite trees, & roots for food.

Native Texans of the GULF COAST COAHUILTECANS They were NOMADS ( moved from place to place). Lived in dome-shaped huts made of skins and brush. (reed mats & hides=easy to move) They never organized into tribes; lived in many independent “bands” It was a tough life. They could run all day without getting tired.

Native Texans of the GULF COAST COAHUILTECANS Spoke unique languages Had own religious beliefs; often part of Caddo trade network 1700’s were competing with Apaches for land, food, other resources Cattle brought by Spanish missionaries eating the plants To avoid starving, some left for Mexico, others worked for Spanish in missions Over time, most died from European diseases brought by Spanish

Native Texans of the GULF COAST KARANKAWAS Ka-RON-ka-wuz Lived on coast between Corpus Christi and Galveston. Used dug out canoes along the coast. Fished in coastal bays Caught fish with bow & arrows. Communicated by sending smoke signals!

Native Texans of the GULF COAST KARANKAWAS Ate snails, clams, and oysters. Hunted small animals. Smeared on alligator grease to prevent mosquito bites. Men pierced lower lip & chest with small pieces of cane. Tattooed their bodies=men/women Tall / men wore little clothing Women’s life especially hard; hunted and household chores

Native Texans of the GULF COAST KARANKAWAS Came together for defense, religious ceremonies, or other events Warfare was a fact of life Suffered greatly from contact with Spanish Disease and the arrival of American settlers later (1840’s) wiped out the Karankawa. 1858, Anglo group attack wiped out remaining Karankawa.

Native Texans of the GULF COAST

Why did many Karankawas die after contact with the Spanish? They were not immune to the diseases from Europe carried by the Spanish

Native Texans of EAST TEXAS Planted crops (pumpkins, beans, corn). Hunted game ( deer, bears, buffalo). Built dwellings of timber. Created crafts (rugs, baskets, pottery)

Native Texans of (South) EAST TEXAS CADDOES Largest tribe in East Texas. Lived East Texas along Red River Huge houses = cone shaped shelter, cane & grass roofs up to 60 feet high diameter; held 8-10 families Large villages. Caddo: Included more than 20 groups; were part of large association or union confederacies, or alliances that united for a common purpose often called “Tejas”, which means friends.

Native Texans of (South) EAST TEXAS CADDOES The oldest woman in each family controlled the entire family. Built large mounds for worship and burials. Farmers – hunters Major crops: corn, beans, squash, & sunflower seeds They also hunted deer, bear, and bison for meat. Most advanced culture of all TX Indians

Native Texans of (South) EAST TEXAS CADDOES (extra info) Made clothes from buffalo and deerskin. -Tattooed streaks on their faces Trade: Developed a vast trade network from that stretched from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico -Traded clay pottery and hunting bows for turquoise, shells, & copper

Native Texans of (South) EAST TEXAS ATAKAPANS Attack-uh-pans Lived in marshy wetlands; south of Caddo from LA to Galveston Bay. Hunter-gatherers Hunted small animals – large reptiles, eating meat & using oil from alligators as insect repellent. Fished from canoes. Gathered berries, roots, and shellfish. Little farming: raised few crops. Lived in dome-shaped brush huts

Native Texans of EAST TEXAS ALABAMA COUSHATTAS Ku-SHOT-us Big Thicket area. Lived in cabins surrounded by fields. Plenty of deer, fish, berries, and other food. Skilled basketmakers.

Natives of (South) EAST TEXAS WICHITAS Originally from Kansas. North Central Texas to the Red River Farmed corn, bean, pumpkins, melons, squash, plum trees. Hunted buffalo (with horses obtained from other plains Indians) Skilled with pottery and leather. Lived in Tipis Often called “raccoon-eyed”. Men tattoos around eyes Women: tattooed faces & bodies; zigzag lines, circles & triangles Shorter & darker than most others

What responsibilities did a Caddo woman have? The Caddo woman was responsible for planting, managing captives, tending children, cooking, and work around the home

Native Texans of the PLAINS Relied on BUFFALO to live. Food, shelter, clothing, weapons, and food all came from the buffalo. Hunters ran herds of buffalo off of cliffs to kill them. Later horses were used for hunting.

Native Texans of the PLAINS Relied on BUFFALO to live. Roasted and dried the meat. Pemmican – buffalo meat mixed with berries and nuts. Used bones to make tools. Hides made tepees, clothes, shoes, and blankets.

Native Texans of the PLAINS Relied on BUFFALO to live. They were NOMADS, following buffalo herds. Used dogs, and later horses, to drag their belongings on sleds.

Natives of SOUTHERN PLAINS Region of TEXAS TONKAWAS Lived on Edwards Plateau, west of Austin & San Antonio. Hunters – Gatherers Hunted buffalo, rabbits, skunk, rats, rattlesnakes, turtles. Gathered roots, seeds, fruit, acorns, pecans Caught fish, crawfish, turtles, and clams. Grass houses - tipis Later helped settlers fight Comanches. Eventually merged into Hispanic population, died of disease, or joined other Indian groups.

Native Texans of the PLAINS (West & Central Texas) APACHES (Not a single tribe but 6 tribes relate by common language) Panhandle area LIPAN APACHES hunted and farmed. Wore deerskin clothing Fall/Winter: moved, following buffalo Spring/Summer: women planted & harvested crops Corn, beans, watermelon, pumpkins * First Indians to ride horses

Native Texans of the PLAINS (West & Central Texas) APACHES Lands stretched from El Paso to Pecos River MESCALERO APACHES raided other tribes. Hunters/gatherers (did not grow crops) Survived in TX until 1880’s, forced onto reservation Wore long leather boots and headbands.

Native Texans of the PLAINS COMANCHES Originally came from Canada. First lived in northern Rockies (Wyoming) Aquired horses from Spanish & Pueblo == Expert horsemen. Left mountains to hunt buffalo Hunters-depended on buffalo Food, clothing, shelter Arrived: not as a united tribe; came at different times as family groups & bands Each band had a chief

Native Texans of the PLAINS COMANCHES 1750’s = 2 main groups Eastern, primarily in Texas Western, Texas Panhandle Traded with Pueblo & Caddoes for grain, guns Fierce warriors—constant at war with Lipans. Decorated their bodies Women short hair/men long hair Lived in tipis “Lords of the Plains”. Traders and raiders.

Native Texans of the PLAINS KIOWAS KEE-uh-wuz Texas Panhandle Forged alliance with Comanches & Wichitas Nomads & buffalo hunters Rode horses Lived in Tipis Painted pictures on tepees. Beaded crafts. Developed a calendar. Major traders, hunters, & raiders Sundance = religious ceremony; lasted 3-4 days; strengthened the bands bringing them together

In what ways did the Comanche depend on the buffalo? The Comanche used the buffalo meat for food. They also used the hides for shelter and clothing.

Puebloan People: Native Texans of the FAR WEST JUMANOS – Around 1200 AD Hu-MON-ohs Lived between the Pecos River & the Rio Grande in the Big Bend area. One-room ADOBE houses, brightly painted inside. Farming was hard; gathered wild plants Farmed: crops beside rivers and streams. Corn, beans, squash Traded with Caddoes = received hides, meat, wild nuts & beans

Puebloan People: Native Texans of the FAR WEST TIGUAS TEEG-wuz Oldest group of American Indians still living in Texas today Settled near El Paso. Called their community “Ysleta del Sur” (Little Island of the South). Adobe houses Meat came from deer, rabbit, antelope & other game Farmed grapes, cotton, corn, tomatoes, squash, beans. Women & children gathered berries & wild foods

LATECOMERS CHEROKEES Arrived in early 1800’s Fleeing white settlements. Lived in log cabins. Used metal tools.

LATECOMERS CHEROKEES Some Cherokees intermarried with European settlers. They owned large farms. Some even owned slaves.

LATECOMERS KICKAPOOS Arrived in 1830’s from Great Lakes region. Hunted and farmed. Round homes covered by woven mats. Baskets, buckskin clothing, beadwork.

Today: Tiguas have a tiny reservation in El Paso. Alabama-Coushatta reservation is located in East Texas. Kickapoos moved onto a reservation near Eagle Pass in the 1980’s.