Choctaw Indian Fair facts for kids
The Mississippi Choctaw people have celebrated for hundreds of years when the first corn ripens. This special gathering was known as "The New Corn Ceremony" or "Green Corn Festival." Today's "Choctaw Indian Fair" grew from this ancient celebration.
The Fair has always been a time for Choctaws to gather and honor their traditions and heritage. But it has also become a chance for the Tribe to welcome visitors to their land and share their way of life with everyone.
Contents
What is the Choctaw Indian Fair?
The Choctaw Indian Fair is a big annual event that celebrates the rich culture and history of the Mississippi Choctaw people. It's a place where old traditions meet new experiences. The Fair helps keep Choctaw culture strong and alive for future generations.
A Look at Choctaw Traditions
Choctaw ancestors left behind many amazing traditions. These include:
- basketry (making baskets)
- beadwork (creating art with beads)
- Making traditional clothing
- Dancing and drumming
- Cooking traditional foods
- Hunting skills
- The Choctaw language
- Ancient legends and stories
- pottery (making pots from clay)
- quilting (making blankets from fabric pieces)
- Playing stickball (Native American)
- Using striking sticks in games
Many of these traditions are proudly shown and shared at the Fair. You can see artists at work and watch exciting performances.
The Roots of the Fair
The Choctaw Indian Fair started from the "Green Corn Ceremony." This was a very important event for the Choctaw people. It was a time to give thanks for the new corn harvest and to celebrate the community. This ancient ceremony laid the foundation for the modern Fair.
How the Fair Grew Over Time
While the Fair has been around for a long time, the Mississippi Choctaw say it really started to become the big annual event we know today in 1949. New parts were added over the years.
In 1955, the Choctaw Princess Pageant became a part of the Fair. Patsy Sam (Buffington) was crowned the very first Choctaw Princess that year. This pageant celebrates young Choctaw women and their leadership.
In the 1960s, country music stars from Nashville, like Chet Atkins and Connie Smith, noticed the Choctaw Indian Fair. They came and performed for free as a way to honor the Choctaw Nation. By the 1970s, paid country music performers were added. Now, the last three nights of the Fair feature exciting country music concerts.
Another important part of the Fair is the return of traditional Choctaw dances. In the 1970s, people started working to bring back many old dances that were no longer being performed. Because of this new interest, dance groups from different Choctaw communities now perform every morning and afternoon at the Fair. These dance groups even perform outside the reservation, sharing their culture with more people. The dances at the Fair are a true expression of ancient Choctaw culture. They offer visitors a special look into this rich heritage.
Experience the Fair Today
Along with music and dance, many Choctaw artists show their beautiful creations during the Fair. You can see amazing beadwork, baskets, drums, and other art. At many artist tables, you might see two or three generations of the same family working together. This shows how skills and traditions are passed down from elders to younger family members.
The 2021 Choctaw Indian Fair was held from July 14–17. The Fair in 2020 had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
