Neche people facts for kids

The Neche were a Native American tribe who lived in what is now eastern Texas. They were part of the larger Caddo Confederacy.

History of the Neche Tribe

The Neche tribe belonged to the Hasinai group, which was part of the big Caddo Confederacy. In the late 1600s and early 1700s, the Neche people lived along the Neches River. This area is now Houston and Cherokee Counties in Texas. Their lands were just northwest of another tribe called the Nacono.

Ancient Mounds and Temples

In 1779, a Spanish explorer named Athanase de Mezieres saw several large mounds in the Neche lands. He wrote that the local Native Americans built these mounds. They used them to build temples on top. These temples overlooked their villages. The explorer thought the mounds showed how many people lived there. Today, one large mound and two smaller ones can still be seen in Cherokee County.

Spanish Missions and the Neche

In 1716, Spanish Franciscan friars built a mission near the Neche people. It was called the San Francisco de los Neches Mission. There was also a small fort, or presidio, nearby. The mission was left empty for a short time in 1719. This happened because the Spanish worried about attacks from the French.

When the Spanish came back in 1721, they gave the Neche chief a special stick called a baston. This stick was a sign of his authority. They also gave clothes to 188 Neche men, women, and children. However, the mission was closed permanently in 1730.

Traditional Beliefs and Assimilation

Even with the Spanish mission nearby, the Neche people kept their traditional religion. They had a main fire temple and a smaller temple in their territory.

Over time, in the 1800s, the Neche people joined other Hasinai tribes. They became part of those groups. In 1855, the Neche and other Hasinai tribes were forced to move. They went to the Brazos Indian Reservation in Young County, Texas. Later, in 1859, they were all moved again to Indian Territory. Today, the descendants of the Neche are part of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. The Neche people also hunted animals for food.

Namesake of the Neche

The Neches River was named after the Neche tribe.

Other Names for the Tribe

The Neche tribe was also known by several other names. These include Neches, Nacha, Naesha, Nascha, Nesta, Nouista, Nacoche, Nechas, and Neitas.