Natural TX and Native Americans (7th)

The Western Gulf People Region

Region: Coastal plains

The Western Gulf People Similarities

Diseases from Spanish contact | Lived in wikiups | Religious activities led by shaman

Coahuiltecan

Scavenger tribe: ate insects, snakes, cactus & small animals | Finding food was a full-time job and sometimes they resorted to eating rotten wood.

Karankawa

Dog lovers | Myth: were cannibals— they practiced ceremonial cannibalism. Taller than most Texas Indians—average man was six feet tall.

The Southeastern Peoples region

Costal Plains & North Central Plains

Southeastern Peoples similarities

Farmers & Hunter-gatherers | Built permanent homes | Grew corn

Caddo

Most advanced matrilineal | Unusual custom of greeting strangers by weeping and wailing. Word “Tey-yas” means friend and is the origin for Texas. | Farmers and made beautiful pottery

Atakapa

The name means “eaters if men” in Choctaw language. They may have practiced ritual cannibalism on their enemies. | East Texas to Louisiana, Ate seafood & hunted alligator.

Wichita

Men had tattoos around their eyes— called themselves “raccoon eyes.” Spent entire winter hunting buffalo.

The Plains people region

North Central Plains & Great Plains

The Plains Peoples similarities

Lived in Tipis | Hunter-gatherers | Independent bands | Buffalo for food, clothing, and shelter.

Tonkawa

Were a friendly people but enemies with Apache & Comanche. Name means “people of the wolf” (they never killed a wolf)

Lipan Apache

Lived along the Edwards Plateau. | They feared the dead | Among the first Indians to ride horses. Name comes from the Zuni word which means “enemy”. | Divided into Lipan and Mescalero

Comanche

Fierce warriors of the plains. Cooperated with Lipan Apache at first, then pushed them eastward for buffalo hunting grounds. | Horsemen of the plains.

Kiowa

Last to arrive in Texas, Located in Panhandle. | Bitter enemies of Comanche for 50 years, later became allies. Sun Dance lasted 3-4 days w/o eating or sleeping.

The Puebloan Peoples Region

Mountains and basins

The Puebloan Peoples Similarities

Farming | Corn, bean & squash | Pottery | Ancient beliefs blended with Catholic faith.

Jumano

“middlemen” | Great traders. Men did most of the farming. Called “striped people,” by Spanish due to lines painted on faces. Among first Texas Indians to have horses.

Concho

Worked in Spanish mines in 1500s with Jumano (allies). Painted their faces and bodies, decorated hair with feathers. Disappeared in the late 1600s.

Tigua

“Mystery Tribe” | Oldest Native American group still living in Texas today. Ysleta was first permanent town in Texas. Special rituals for planting, harvesting, and rain.