Ittiwan people facts for kids

The Ittiwan people, sometimes called Etiwan, were a Native American tribe who lived in what is now South Carolina. They lived near a place called Goose Creek, which is about 30 miles northeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Some people today, like members of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians, say they are related to the Ittiwan and other groups.

Ittiwan Burial Customs

We know a little about the Ittiwan people from letters written by a missionary named Francis Le Jau. In 1710, he wrote about their burial customs. When someone from the Ittiwan tribe died, they would rub the person's body all over with oil. This oil came from bears or hickory nuts. Rubbing the body with oil was a regular practice, and the women of the tribe usually did it.

Ceremonies and Dances

Francis Le Jau also wrote about Ittiwan ceremonies. In 1712, he described a special event. Forty people, dressed up and painted, came from the woods. They gathered near a small, painted hut that stood on pillars.

After a short pause and a speech, three young men held onto each other and began to dance. The rest of the people followed in a long line, moving like a snake. They had rattles for music and sang four simple notes. An older man explained that the three dancers represented the ancestors of everyone else. He also said the painted hut looked like a ship. Le Jau thought it sounded like the story of Noah's Ark and shared that idea with the man.

Two years earlier, Le Jau described another dance that happened every year. This dance lasted for three days and three nights. The men danced during the day, and the women danced at night. When Le Jau asked about the dance's meaning, he was told it was to remember a time when there were no women.

The Yamasee War

In 1715, a big conflict called the Yamasee War began. At first, the Ittiwan people sided with the South Carolina colonists. They even helped defend a place called Port Royal against an attack by the Yamasee tribe.

However, by July of that same year, the Ittiwan switched sides. They joined the Yamasee and fought against the South Carolinians. Historians believe that the Ittiwan were one of the smaller Native American groups who lived close to the colonists' farms. In the 1670s, these groups had sought safety from stronger tribes by living near the colonists. This might be why the Ittiwan first helped the colonists. But as the war continued, feelings against Native Americans among the colonists might have grown stronger, causing the Ittiwan to change their alliance.

After the Yamasee War

By 1724, the Ittiwan people were spread out in small groups across several areas in South Carolina. They wanted their own land where all the tribe members could live together. This would help support their shrinking numbers. The government leaders, known as the Commons House of Assembly, agreed to their request. They gave the Ittiwan land on the western side of Wassamasaw Swamp.

The last time the Ittiwan were mentioned as a tribal nation in historical records was in 1751. At that time, Governor Glen stated that the "Etavans" (another spelling for Ittiwan) were a tribe allied with the English government.