Choctaw facts for kids
| Chahta | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Total population | |
| Approximately 214,884 total 212,000 (Nation of Oklahoma 2023) 11,000 (Mississippi Band 2020) 284 (Jena Band 2011) |
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| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama) |
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| Languages | |
| American English, Choctaw | |
| Religion | |
| Protestant, Roman Catholic, formerly Indigenous religion, including Southeastern Ceremonial Complex | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chickasaw, Muscogee, Natchez, Alabama, Koasati, and Seminole |
| People | Chahta |
|---|---|
| Language | Chahta anumpa, Hand Talk |
| Country | Chahta Okla |
The Choctaw (Choctaw: Chahta) are an amazing group of Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands in the United States. They originally lived in areas that are now Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Their special language is called Choctaw, which is part of the Muskogean language family. Today, most Choctaw people belong to three main federally recognized tribes: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana. Some Choctaw descendants are also part of other tribes.
Contents
Understanding the Name "Choctaw"
The Choctaw people call themselves "Chahta." The name "Choctaw" is how English speakers say it. There are a few ideas about where the name "Chahta" came from. One idea is that it came from an early Choctaw leader named Chahta. Another idea is that it means "people of the river." This might be because early Choctaw towns were along the Tombigbee River.
The Choctaw Language
The Choctaw language is related to other languages in the Muskogean family. It was well-known to early American settlers in the 1800s. In 1870, a missionary named Cyrus Byington published a Choctaw dictionary. This book helped many people learn and understand the language.
Choctaw, or Chahta, is very similar to the Chickasaw language. Some experts think they might have been one language long ago. This idea fits with stories from both groups that say they came from the same ancestors.
Today, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma offers classes to learn the Choctaw language. People on the Mississippi Choctaw reservation still speak it every day. Even though fewer people spoke it for a while, the language is now growing stronger. More members of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians are learning and using it.
Writing the Choctaw Language
The Choctaw language is written using letters from the English alphabet. This writing system was created in the early 1800s. It helped the Choctaw people communicate in writing.
Choctaw Culture and Traditions
Choctaw culture has a long history, going back to the 1500s and even earlier. We know about their older traditions from stories passed down through generations. Since the 1500s, the Choctaw have shown their unique culture through songs, dances, special clothing, beadwork, pottery, basket weaving, and a game called stickball.
Choctaw people still keep these traditions alive in their daily lives and at community events. A great example is the Choctaw Indian Fair held every summer by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. This fair brings Choctaw people from everywhere together. It features traditional cooking, fun activities, dancing, and exciting stickball games.
Choctaw culture is an ancient and vibrant tradition. It continues to thrive in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Traditional Beliefs
The Choctaw people had spiritual beliefs that were part of a larger system in North America. They believed in both good and bad spirits. They also honored the sun, called Hvshtahli. Experts say the Choctaw saw the sun as a powerful god. They believed it had power over life and death. The sun was thought to watch over the earth. Fire, which looks like the sun, was also seen as intelligent and connected to the sun.
The Choctaw showed respect for the sun by calling it nanpisa, meaning "the one who sees." It is believed that the Choctaw's ancestors placed the sun at the center of their world view. By the mid-1700s, Choctaws saw the sun as a living being. They believed it helped ensure honesty in important talks. Because of this, Choctaw diplomats often spoke only on sunny days. They would wait for the sun to return if it was cloudy or rainy. The sun was a very important symbol of power and respect for many Indigenous cultures in the Southeast.
How Choctaw Communities Were Organized
Traditionally, Choctaw communities were organized into two main groups: Imoklashas (elders) and Inhulalatas (youth). Each group had several iksas, or clans. Sometimes, these clans were named after animals. Your Choctaw identity came first from your main group, then from your specific clan. The Choctaw followed a matrilineal system. This means children belonged to their mother's clan. The mother's clan gave them their social identity and place in the community.
In this system, the mother's brother (maternal uncle) was very important. He often acted like a father figure and helped care for his sister's children. The Choctaw people also deeply respected women and a Mother goddess. This was shown in their spiritual traditions. They honored the sacred mound of Nanih Waiya, known as the "Mother Mound." Nanih Waiya is a large earthwork mound in Mississippi. It is still a special place where women go to pray, sing, and dance today.
After the United States government moved the Choctaw from their lands in Mississippi during the Trail of Tears, they rebuilt their government in Indian Territory. They organized themselves into three districts, just like their old homeland. Each district was named after an important leader.
Sharing and Helping in the Community
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Early Choctaw communities worked together and shared their harvests. They believed in helping everyone. They found it hard to understand why some English settlers let people in their own communities go hungry.
The Choctaw Nation showed great kindness during the Great Famine in Ireland in the mid-1800s. They sent money to help the Irish people. This act of generosity is still remembered today. A sculpture called Kindred Spirits in Midleton, Ireland, honors this special connection.
Traditional Homes
The Choctaw, like the Chickasaw, traditionally built three types of homes for each family. They had a summer house, a corn storage house, and a round winter house, often called a "hot house."
Traditional Clothing
Many Choctaw people today wear colorful, handmade dresses. These designs come from old traditions. They mix 1800s European-American styles with local needs. While these special clothes are mostly for events now, many older Choctaw women still wear them every day. Choctaw dresses often have diamond, circle, and cross patterns. These patterns can represent stickball sticks.
Fun and Games
Choctaw stickball is the oldest field sport in North America. It was also called the "little brother of war." This is because it was very physical and sometimes used to settle disagreements between communities instead of fighting. Games could have as few as twenty players or as many as 300! The goals could be far apart, even miles away. Both the Mississippi and Oklahoma Choctaw communities still play this exciting sport.
Another traditional game was Chunkey. Players rolled a disk-shaped stone very fast. Then they threw wooden poles at it. The goal was to hit the disk or stop opponents from hitting it.
Other games used corn, cane, and moccasins. For example, the corn game used five to seven kernels. One side was black, the other white. Players scored points based on which side landed up.
A Look at Choctaw History
The Choctaw people became a distinct group in the 1500s. Before Europeans arrived, they had at least three main groups: the western Okla Falaya ("Long People"), the eastern Okla Tannap ("People on the Other Side"), and the southern Okla Hannali ("Six Towns People"). Over time, these groups made different alliances with European powers.
Europeans first wrote about the Choctaw in the 1600s. However, Spanish explorers had met their ancestors in the Southeast in the mid-1500s. By the time of the colonies, Spanish, French, and English explorers saw the Choctaw as a well-organized society. They had their own governments, alliances, religious practices, and cultural traditions.
Early contact with Europeans meant trading with the French, English, and Spanish. These relationships brought new trade goods and formal talks with European governments. These interactions greatly shaped the modern Choctaw people. After the United States was formed, more American settlers moved into the Southeast. The Choctaw became one of the "Five Civilized Tribes." They adopted some parts of European-American culture, like farming.
Most Choctaw people supported the Americans during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Red Stick War. They were especially important at the Battle of New Orleans. The Choctaw signed nine treaties with the United States. The last three treaties led to them giving up large amounts of land in the Southeast. Even though they had not fought against the United States, most Choctaw were forced to move to Indian Territory between 1831 and 1833. This difficult journey is known as the Trail of Tears. In Indian Territory, the Choctaw government kept its three-district structure. Each district had its own chief.
Some Choctaw individuals chose to stay in Mississippi. They became citizens of Mississippi and the U.S. This made them some of the first non-European groups to have this status.
During World War I, Choctaw soldiers bravely served in the U.S. military. They were some of the first Native American codetalkers. They used the Choctaw language to send secret messages that enemies could not understand. After the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, Choctaw communities rebuilt their governments. They also regained official recognition from the U.S. government. The largest of these is the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Then there are the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians.
Important Agreements and Treaties
Land was very important to Native American societies. It was shared by everyone. The United States gradually took Choctaw lands for European-American settlers. This happened through treaties, laws, and sometimes threats. The Choctaw Nation signed treaties with Great Britain, France, Spain, and the Confederate States of America. They signed nine treaties with the United States.
How the Choctaw Population Changed
In the early 1700s, some estimates suggested there were as many as 125,000 Choctaw people. Other estimates were lower, but still showed a large population. In 1775, one estimate put the population at about 50,000. By 1820, it was estimated at 25,000.
A count in 1830, just before the forced removal, reported 19,554 Choctaw people. By 1841, over 15,000 Choctaws had moved to Indian Territory. Many more moved in the years after.
In the 1900s and 2000s, the Choctaw population grew a lot. By 2018, over 254,000 people said they had Choctaw ancestors. The 2020 U.S. census counted at least 104,427 people who identified as full-blood Choctaw.
Choctaw Tribes and Groups Today
There are three federally recognized Choctaw tribes. Each has its own Indian Reservation. They are:
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, in Oklahoma
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, in Mississippi
- Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, in Louisiana
The Yowani Choctaw are also recognized as a distinct Choctaw group. They are part of the Caddo Nation. Yowani Choctaw are also citizens of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Several state-recognized tribes also identify as having Choctaw heritage. These include:
- MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, Alabama
- Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebarb, Louisiana
- Clifton Choctaw Tribe of Louisiana, Louisiana
- Grand Caillou/Dulac Band, Louisiana
- Isle de Jean Charles Band, Louisiana
- Louisiana Choctaw Tribe, Louisiana
- Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, Louisiana
Many other groups also say they have Choctaw ancestors.
Important Choctaw Leaders
- Tuscaloosa (died 1540) bravely led his people against Hernando de Soto at the Battle of Mabila. This was one of the first big fights between Indigenous peoples and Europeans in North America.
- Pushmataha (1760s–1824) was a chief of the old Choctaw Nation. He signed many treaties with the United States. He also fought alongside the Americans during the War of 1812. He is buried in Washington, D.C.
- Mosholatubbee (1770–1836) was a Choctaw chief both before and after the removal. He traveled to Washington to represent his tribe.
- Greenwood LeFlore (1800–1865) was a district chief in Mississippi. He later became an important state representative and senator in Mississippi.
- Peter Pitchlynn (1806–1881) was a very important Choctaw leader during the time of removal and afterward. He represented the Choctaw people in Washington, D.C., for many years.
- Wesley Johnson (around 1849–1925) was elected chief in 1913. He led groups of Choctaw people to Washington, D.C., to share their concerns. He even met President Woodrow Wilson.
- Phillip Martin (1926–2010) was chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians from 1979 to 2007. He worked for tribal government for over fifty years. He helped create many jobs and brought economic growth to the reservation.
See also
In Spanish: Choctaw para niños
- William Bartram
- Chacato
- Choctaw culture
- Choctaw mythology
- Choctaw Trail of Tears
- Cyrus Byington
- Gideon Lincecum
- Steven Charleston
- List of Choctaw Treaties
- List of sites and peoples visited by the Hernando de Soto Expedition
- okay ("okeh", etymology)
- Bulbancha
