Watt Sam facts for kids
Watt Sam (born October 6, 1876 – died July 1, 1944) was an important member of the Natchez people. He was a great storyteller and knew a lot about his culture. Watt Sam lived in Braggs, Oklahoma. He was one of the last two people who spoke the Natchez language as their native tongue.
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Working with Experts
Watt Sam helped many researchers learn about the Natchez people and their language. His work was very important for keeping this knowledge alive.
With John R. Swanton
Around 1907, Watt Sam worked with John R. Swanton. Swanton was an anthropologist, a scientist who studies human societies and cultures. He gathered information about the Natchez religion and their traditions. Watt Sam had also lived among the Cherokee and Creek people. He spoke both of their languages very well. Because of this, he knew many of their stories too.
With Mary Haas and Victor Riste
In the 1930s, Watt Sam worked with Mary Haas. She was a linguist, a scientist who studies languages. Mary Haas collected information about how the Natchez language worked. She also wrote down many Natchez stories.
In 1931, another anthropologist, Victor Riste, made recordings of Watt Sam. He used special wax cylinders to record Watt Sam speaking the Natchez language. These recordings were found again in the 1970s. Today, one of these valuable recordings is kept at the Voice Library at the University of Michigan.
Family and Language
Watt Sam was related to the other last native speaker of Natchez, Nancy Raven. He was her biological cousin. Through his father, Creek Sam, Watt Sam was also the great-uncle of Archie Sam. Archie Sam later became a scholar who studied the Natchez culture.
Watt Sam did not teach the Natchez language to his own children. This was because the language was usually passed down through the mother's side of the family.
His Resting Place
Watt Sam is buried at the Greenleaf Cemetery in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
