Caddo Indians

Let’s find out about the Caddo Nation! The original name of the Caddo was Cadohadacho When the Europeans came to North America, the Caddo lived in the present states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Today, most of the Caddo live in the state of Oklahoma. Grade 2 framwork:

The Caddo looked like this The Caddo Native Americans formed a Confederacy of all their tribes. The man on the left is wearing a “roach” or sometimes called a porcupine roach.

First, the Caddo! Most Caddo speak English today but many also speak the Caddo language. Example: “Kua’at”(pronounced Koo- ah-aht) is a friendly greeting. Language

Caddo women Caddo women wore wraparound skirts and poncho tops made of deerskin. They usually braided their hair or tied it back with ribbons. Both men and women wore earrings and moccasins.

Hair styles! Men wore their hair in a scalplock. (One long lock of hair on top of their head usually braided). Sometimes the men wore a “ roach” or headpiece made of red-dyed deer hair and turkey beards. In order to achieve a scalplock, men plucked the hair away using tweezers. “turkey roach”

Women and hair styles Caddo women usually wore their long hair in a bun. For special occasions they would add ornaments or ribbons to their bun.

Caddo transportation The Caddo preferred to travel by land but also made dugout canoes out of logs for travel by water.

What kind of food did the Caddo eat? The Caddo Indians were farmers and hunters. They grew corn, beans, pumpkins and sunflowers. They hunted deer, buffalo and small game and fished.

Tools used by the Caddo To hunt they used bows and arrows They also made axes with a heavy stone head to chop wood. When they fought other people, they used their bows and arrows and their tomahawk. Caddo ax

Caddo homes Caddo homes were tall, dome-shaped grass houses. Sometimes they were so large, 30 people could live in them!

How were Caddo children raised? Caddo children were busy doing chores for the family. They did not have much play time. They did play with dolls and toys. A game they played was trying to throw a dart through a moving hoop. (hoop dart anyone?)

Caddo art The Caddo people were famous for their pottery. There are websites to visit that focus on Caddo pottery.

Caddo music The favorite Caddo musical instrument is the drum. As drums are played, other Caddo dance and sing.

Caddo Indian legends and folklore One story is called, “Village Boy and Wild Boy.” It is about mythical twins whose mother was killed by a monster. Another story is called “Coyote.” It is about a tricky figure who gets involved in different forms of mischief! There are websites on which to find these myths and legends