Chaouacha facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as a tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Louisiana | |
| Languages | |
| possbily dialect of Chitimacha | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chitimacha |
The Chaouacha (also spelled Chawasha) were an Native American group. They lived in Louisiana, a state in the southern United States. They were likely related to the Chitimacha people. The Chaouacha are mostly known in history because they were unfairly attacked. This happened after the Natchez revolt against French settlers, even though the Chaouacha had no part in it.
When they were first described, the Chaouacha lived on the east side of the Mississippi River. This was just south of the city of New Orleans. In 1699, reports said they were friends with the Washa and Opelousa tribes.
A Tragic Event
In December 1729, the Natchez tribe attacked Fort Rosalie. This happened the month before. French settlers in Louisiana worried about a big Native American uprising. They also feared a combined revolt of Native Americans and people forced into labor.
The governor of Louisiana, Étienne Perier, ordered a group of 80 African workers to attack the Chaouacha community. These workers were promised their freedom if they did this. During this sad event, at least seven Chaouacha men died. Many women and children were also captured and taken to New Orleans.
Seeking Justice
The Chaouacha people who survived asked Governor Perier to release the prisoners. They explained that their tribe was not involved in the Natchez revolt. Governor Perier agreed and set the prisoners free.
The Choctaw tribe was an ally of the French against the Natchez. They did not approve of Perier's attack on the Chaouacha. The Choctaw encouraged other small tribes in the area to move away from the French. They offered these tribes protection in lands under Choctaw control.
The Tribe's Later Years
Governor Perier told his leaders that he had destroyed the Chaouacha. However, there is proof that the tribe continued to exist. They remained a distinct group until the late 1700s. After that, they slowly joined other tribes.
In 1802, a French settler named Baudry de Lozières wrote about them. He described the "Tchaouachas" as having only 40 warriors left. He called them a "wandering, lazy nation." He also noted they had settled near the French in 1712. He said that corn was the only help one could expect from them. This suggests their numbers had greatly decreased.
