Abihka facts for kids
Abihka was one of the four main towns of the Muscogee Creek confederacy. This was a group of Native American tribes who worked together. The name Abihka is also sometimes used to describe all the Upper Creek people.
Contents
History of the Abihka People
Ancient Roots
The Abihka people are connected to a powerful group from the 1500s called the "Chiefdom of Coosa". This was a large Native American society led by a chief. Later, in the 1700s, many Natchez people joined the Abihka after they were forced from their homes by the French.
Their Name
The meaning of the name "Abihka" is not known today. However, it became a way to refer to all the Upper Creek peoples, showing their importance.
Where the Abihka Lived
The Abihka were part of the Upper Creek Indians. They mainly lived along the Coosa and Alabama rivers. This area is now Talladega County, in the state of Alabama. Besides their main town of Abihka, they had other important towns. These included Abihkutchi, Tuckabutche, Talladega, Coweta, and Kan-tcati.
New Homes and Traditions
Moving West
After a time called Indian removal, many Native American tribes were forced to move west. The Abihka people moved to what was called the Indian Territory. This area is now part of Oklahoma.
The Arbeka Stomp Ground
In their new home, the Abihka people created a special place for their traditions. They built a ceremonial stomp dance ground. They called it Abihka, or sometimes Arbeka. This important place is located near Henryetta, Oklahoma.
A woman named Alice Brown Davis and her husband, George Rollin Davis, were important in the Arbeka area. They ran a trading post, a post office, and a general store. They also had a ranch called Bar X Bar. Alice Brown Davis became the postmistress in the 1890s after her husband passed away. You can still find an Arbeka Road in that area today.
See Also
- Muscogee Creek confederacy
- Stomp dance
