Agapit Chicagou facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agapit Chicagou
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Native American leader of the Mitchigamea |
| Known for | Visited Paris and participated in the Chickasaw Wars |
Chief Chicagou, also known as Agapit Chicagou, was an important Native American leader in the 1700s. He belonged to the Mitchigamea people. Chicagou became famous for visiting Paris, France, and for his role in the Chickasaw Wars. His name "Agapit" might come from "Akapia," a term for a chief's helper in the Miami-Illinois language.
Contents
Chicagou's Trip to Paris
Meeting the French King
Chief Chicagou first became known in 1725 when news of his trip to Paris spread. The Company of the Indies, a big French trading company, helped bring him and five other Native American chiefs to France.
On November 22, 1725, the chiefs met with the young French King Louis XV. The Mercure de France, a French newspaper, reported that Chicagou gave a speech. In his speech, he promised loyalty to the French king. The very next day, the king took the chiefs on a fun rabbit hunt.
Inspiring a Famous Composer
While the chiefs were in Paris, a famous French composer named Jean-Philippe Rameau saw them perform. They danced three traditional dances: the Peace Dance, the War Dance, and the Victory Dance. Rameau was so inspired by their performance. He later wrote a piece of music for the harpsichord called Les Sauvages (The Savages). This music was later published in his collection Nouvelles Suites de Pieces de Clavecin.
Chicagou After Paris
Supporting the French
In 1730, a letter from a priest named Father Mathurin le Petit mentioned Chief Chicagou again. The letter described the Natchez and Yazoo War (1729-1731). In this war, the Illiniwek nation, which included the Mitchigamea, promised to support the French. Father le Petit noted that Chicagou was the leader of the Mitchigamea. Another chief, Mamantouensa, led the Kaskaskia people.
Role in the Chickasaw Wars
Later, Illiniwek warriors, likely led by Chicagou, took part in the Chickasaw Wars in 1736. They fought in a battle called the Battle of Ogoula Tchetoka. This battle took place near what is now Pontotoc, Mississippi. The Illiniwek were attacking a village of Natchez refugees. However, the Chickasaw people and their English allies surprised them from behind a hill. The Illiniwek warriors were defeated and had to flee.
Chicagou's Legacy
The last mention of Chief Chicagou comes from the journal of Jean Bernard Bossu. Bossu wrote about meeting an "Indian prince" named Chicique. This prince was the son of the Chief Chicagou who had visited Paris. This suggests that Chief Chicagou had passed away by the time Bossu met his son.
