The Western Gulf Tribes

The Coahuiltecans Koh-ah-weel-tay-kahnz Suffered sharp decline Between San Antonio / Corpus Christi, to the Rio Grande Dry plain would not support many people Never organized into tribes Hunters/Gathers Buffalo/large animals scarce Ate snakes, lizards, armadillos, worms, snails, spiders, insects, rotten wood Gathered plants like leaves, cactus fruits, nuts Lived in dome shaped huts with reed mats or animal skins draped over them Used bow/arrow to hunt deer Dug Pits to capture Javelinas Suffered sharp decline Lipans were pushed into territory Missionaries/Ranchers arrive from Mexico Competing for food w/ cattle and Lipans Moved to Mexico Died from disease

The Karankawas Lived along Gulf Coast Traveled on foot, hunted deer Fished in bays, gathered wild plants Traveled on foot, hunted deer Used dugout canoes Used smoke signals to communicate Karankawas were larger than most Indians, avg. 6ft in height Pierced lower lips/chests w/ cane Wore very little clothing Warfare was a way of life Practiced ceremonial cannibalism Ate flesh of enemies to get revenge Captured the enemy’s courage or strength One Spaniard said that they carried off the children of their enemy for “food to eat on the way.” Declined from disease 1840, only 100 remained Group of settlers wiped them out in an attack in 1858