Mayaca people facts for kids

The Mayaca were a Native American tribe in central Florida. The Spanish used this name for the tribe, their main village, and its chief in the 1560s.

The Mayaca people lived in the upper St. Johns River valley. This area was just south of Lake George. Their language was similar to that of the Ais tribe. The Ais lived along Florida's Atlantic coast.

The Mayaca were mostly hunter-fisher-gatherers. This means they hunted animals, fished, and gathered plants for food. They did not farm much, unlike their neighbors to the north, the Utina (also called Freshwater Timucua). Most tribes south of the Timucua did not farm when Europeans first arrived. The Mayaca shared a pottery style, called the St. Johns culture, with the Freshwater Timucua.

History of the Mayaca People

The Spanish first met the Mayaca in 1566. They were trying to get some Frenchmen back who were held by the Native Americans. At this time, several villages near the Atlantic coast were said to be loyal to Mayaca.

The Mayaca seemed to be friends with the Mocama (or Saltwater Timucua) chief Saturiwa. They were against the Agua Dulce (Freshwater) Timucua. In 1567, the Mayaca joined with the Saturiwa and the Potano (another Timucua group). They fought against the Agua Dulce, who were defeated with help from the Spanish.

Spanish Missions and Changes

Later in the 1500s, Spanish Franciscan friars visited the Mayaca. By 1597, the Mayaca chief had become a Christian. A mission, called San Salvador de Mayaca, was set up later. However, this mission is not mentioned much in Spanish records for most of the 1600s.

Missionary work started again around 1680. This happened at places like Anacape and Mayaca. By this time, other groups like the Chachises and Malaos had joined the Mayaca population. Many Yamasee people, who were refugees, also became part of the group.

By the 1690s, more missions were built. These included Concepción de Atoyquime and San Joseph de Jororo. Spanish ranches also operated in the area.

Challenges and Movements

In 1696 and 1697, there were problems. A friar and some Native American converts were killed. Peace was later restored.

In 1708, Native Americans allied with English colonists from the Province of Carolina attacked. This caused some Mayaca people to move. They sought safety near St. Augustine. Other Mayaca moved south to the eastern side of Lake Okeechobee. This lake was even called "Lake Mayaca" on maps in the 1820s. Today, Port Mayaca on the lake's eastern shore keeps that name alive.

Between 1738 and 1739, there were battles near Lake Okeechobee. The Mayaca, Jororo, and Bomto fought against the Calusa, Pojoy, and Amacapiras. About 300 people died in these fights. Some Mayaca were still living near Lake Okeechobee in 1743.

Related Tribes

The Jororo People

The Jororo (sometimes called Hororo) lived just south of the Mayaca. Spanish records first mention them in the 1680s. They spoke the same language as the Mayaca. Like the Mayaca, the Jororo were hunter-fisher-gatherers. Their land was very wet, with many lakes and thick plants. It often flooded.

Other Groups

Early Spanish and French writings also mention Mayajuaca, Macoya, and Mayrra. These groups were probably located in the St. Johns River valley. They were likely connected to the Mayaca. Macoya might even be another way of saying Mayaca.