Section 2Native American Groups in Texas

Native Texans of the Gulf CoastNative Texans developed lifestyles that made the most of the

plants and the wildlife in their areas…Coahuiltecans

Nomadic {moved from place to place with no permanent home} Temporary dwellings {mud, animal skins, and brush} Lived on the Southern Coast {hot, semi-arid brush country with little

food or shelter} Hunted deer, small animals {rabbits}…occasionally buffalo Gathered food {mesquite beans, nuts, berries, cacti, worms, lizards,

insects, and roots} Tough…great deal of endurance {run all day}

Karankawas Lived on Coast near marshy areas {between Corpus Christi Bay and

Galveston Bay} Dugout canoes {used cane traps…bows and arrows to fish} Gathered {mollusks, clams, oysters} Hunted {small game} Covered bodies with alligator or shark grease {ward of mosquitoes} Clothing made from deerskin and moss Painted and tattooed their bodies Gentle with children…loved their dogs

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Native Texans of East Texas Piney Woods of East Texas have plenty of rainfall and

fertile soil Cleared forests to plant pumpkins, beans, and corn Hunted deer, bears, and occasional buffalo Built permanent dwellings Created colorful crafts {rugs, baskets, pottery} Developed trade networks Complex Society

Caddoes Lived along the Angelina and Neches Rivers Built sturdy grass lodges (up to 50 feet high) Lived in large villages Ruled by a major chief (caddi)… assisted by other chiefs

o Made important political decisionso Led the war council

Oldest woman in each family controlled the entire family…including the chiefs and warriors Built hugh temples and burial mounds

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Groups of Caddoes joined together to form the Hasinai Confederacy

Atakapans Lived in marshy wetlands {southeastern Texas and

southwestern Louisiana} Hunted small animals, deer Fished from dugout canoes Gathered {berries, roots, shellfish} Some raised crops

Alabama and Coushatta Settled along the Trinity River 1780’s moved into the Big Thicket area Hunted deer and other game Fished Gathered berries Lived in cabins surrounded by fields of vegetables and

fruit trees Skilled in basket making and other crafts

Native Texans of the Plains

Lives and culture based on the buffaloo Foodo Sheltero Clothingo Weapons

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o Tools Before horses…hunters ran the buffalo into streams or

over cliffs for the kill After horses…more efficient Hunted elk, deer, antelopes, or rabbits Gathered plants for food

Once a buffalo was killed… roasted most of the meat and preserved some {jerky} Pemmican – mixture of dried meat, nuts, and berries…Trail

Mix Bones made into tools Hide…teepees, clothing, shoes, blankets

Nomadic… Dwellings (teepees) …easy to take apart and carry on long

journeys Before horses…domesticated dogs dragged small wooden sleds

Families…basic social organizationBands…groups of families under the leadership of a chief

***warriors held high status because of their bravery

Mescalero Apaches Nomadic hunters…known for raiding other groups in West Texas

and Mexico

Lipan Apaches Hunted and farmed…lived on rancherías (farming communities)

near streams or riverso Grew beans, maize (corn), squash, and pumpkinso Traded with neighboring groups

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o Later moved to South Texas to get away from their enemies, the Comanches

Comanches Fierce Warriors Skilled at riding horses… ”LORD OF THE PLAINS” Skilled traders Depended on the horse to hunt

and raid other groups…taking goods and captives

Women wore finely decorated Buckskin dresses

Kiowas Often joined Comanches to drive Apaches from their

territories Painted pictures of important events on teepees Made beautiful beaded crafts Developed a calendar Master riders Among most feared native groups on the plains.

Natives of North Central TexasTonkowas

Lived in Central Texas {Austin} Hunted buffalo deer…traded hides Fished rivers and springs {fish, crawfish, clams} Settled in villages {grass houses} Later joined Europeans settlers

fighting the Comanches…

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Wichitas Settled near present day Waco, Dallas, and Corsicana Farmers {corn, beans, pumpkins, squash, melons} Hunted buffalo Skilled artisans {clay pots, jars, leather bags} Lived in large villages {1,000 people} sturdy grass lodges {8-10 people} Warriors elected chiefs {enforced rules} Women held in high regard

Native Texans of the Far WestJumanos

Lived in farming villages along the Rio Grande from El Paso to the Big Bend area

One-room houses {square, flat-roofed… made of adobe} Planted crops beside rivers {take advantage of limited water

supply}

Tiguas Came to Texas with Spanish {fleeing revolt in new Mexico} Settled near El Paso Adobe houses Hunted and fished Farmed {corn, tomatoes, squash, beans, grapes}

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Made beautiful pottery (stored and cooked food} Grew cotton {wove into cloth}

LatecomersCherokees

1819-1820 -fleeing pressure from settlers of north and east Settled along the Sabine, Neches, and Angelina Rivers Farmers {corn, beans, pumpkins, squash} Used metal tools Lived in log cabins in villages Some maintained lifestyle…others intermarried with

Southerners Owned lard farms and plantations {slaves}

Kickapoo Arrived from the Great Lakes region Lived in villages Raised crops Women built homes {round structures covered with

woven mats} Women made baskets, buckskin clothing, crafted fine beadwork

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