Nasoni facts for kids
The Nasoni are a Native American tribe. They originally lived in parts of eastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas. They are part of the larger Caddo people.
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The Nasoni Tribe: A Look at Their History
Where the Nasoni Lived
The Nasoni tribe was made up of two main groups. The Upper Nasoni lived along the Red River. This was in the southwestern part of Arkansas. They were connected to the Kadohadacho group within the Caddo Confederacy.
The Lower Nasoni lived in what is now Rusk County, Texas. Their lands were between the Sabine River and the Angelina River. They were also part of the Caddo Confederacy.
Early European Contact
In 1541, a Spanish explorer named Hernando de Soto met the Lower Nasoni. Later, in 1686, members of René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle's French expedition were welcomed by the Lower Nasoni. They were even taken to the Nasoni town for special celebrations.
Challenges and Changes
From the 1600s to the 1800s, new diseases brought by Europeans caused big problems for the Nasoni and other Caddo groups. Many people got sick, especially from smallpox. Because of this, the different Nasoni groups had to join together to survive.
In 1719, French explorers built a fort and trading post called Le Poste des Cadodaquious. It was on the Red River, across from an Upper Nasoni village. The French traded things like firearms, tools, beads, and clothing. In return, they received animal hides and horses. The Upper Nasoni were allies with the French from 1719 to 1762.
In 1716, Spanish monks started the San José de los Nazones Mission. This mission was meant to serve the Nadaco and Lower Nasoni tribes. The Lower Nasoni became allies with the Spanish during the 1700s. By 1880, so many Nasoni people had been lost to disease that they are believed to have joined the Nadaco tribe.
The Nasoni Today
Today, people who are Nasoni are part of the Caddo Nation. The Caddo Nation's main office is in Binger, Oklahoma.
Other Names for the Nasoni
The explorer Hernando De Soto called the tribe the Nassohone. The Lower Nasoni were also known by names like Nasaya, Nasayaha, Nasayaya, Nasoui, Nassoni, Nassonite, Nazone, and Nazoni. The Nasoni as a whole were sometimes called Assony and Nisohoni.
hr:Upper Nasoni
