Osage Indians

Osage Nation The Osage Indians also lived in Arkansas They originally lived in present day Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. Today, most of the people of the Osage Nation live in Oklahoma.

Next is the Osage! What was their language? As with the Caddo Indians, the Osage speak English today, but there is a renewed interest in learning the Osage language which is part of the Dhegihan language group. The Osage have developed their own alphabet that more accurately depicts the sound of their language.

Osage clothing Osage women wore trade cloth dresses and leggings. Both men and women wore moccasins and long buffalo hide robes in cold weather. As with the Caddo, they wore tattoos. The Osage people are known for their intricate ribbon work that is placed on clothing and blankets. Osage women wore clothes similar to this.

Osage men Osage men wore breechcloths and leggings just like the Caddo men did.

Hairstyles and headdresses Osage men either wore their hair long or in a scalplock fashion. If they had a scalp lock they would sometimes wear a “roach.” This is a scalplock style

Osage food The Osage were big game hunters. They liked to hunt buffalo. Before they had horses, the men would drive the buffalo off a cliff to kill them. Osage women raised corn, beans, squash and pumpkins.

Osage tools and weapons The Osage used bows and arrows and were known for their excellent long bows. In battles they also fought with clubs and spears!

Osage homes The Osage lived in settled villages and their homes were called lodges. Lodges were made of elm bark.

Music of the Osage As with the Caddo, the Osage played drums and a flute-like instrument.

Osage folklore A popular story among the Osage is “The Spider and the People.” This story is about how the spider became the symbol for the Osage.