Chickasaw

The treasure of a nation

“Cherokee, Choctaw, creek, Seminole, Chickasaw” can you understand the meaning of these
words?

They are the Five Civilized Tribes in the world. They highly developed in the ruling system.
In this scientific world everyone is influenced by the technologies and the other developing
factors, but still there are some group of people live with their own life style and enjoying
their life very friendly with the environment. They are the indigenous people. There are many
indigenous people in all over the world.

No one can imagine a group of people with traditional dress, doing handicrafts, taking herbal
medicine in US. But, there are people living with their tradition in Oklahoma and they are
known as “Chickasaw”.

Chickasaw basically lived in Mississippi valley .they were basically farmers, ranchers and
traders. They were war like people. They battled with French and other neighboring tribes.
They won in every battle and become known as ‘Spartans’ (warriors). Before the entrance
of European to US they lived happily in Mississippi and Alabama. But after the presence of
Europeans, in 1838 the Chickasaw tribes forced to relocated to the Indian territory in what
became Oklahoma.

Still most of the Chickasaw people live in Oklahoma. They are one of the muskogean
language family and federally recognized as the Chickasaw nation.

They are living in traditional houses. There are different kind of houses for different kind of
needs.

Council houses : for gathering
Summer house: for the summer season and this house has two entrance, because for
cooling breeze to pass through it.
Winter house: for the winter season and designed to retain heat
Corn crib: to store precious reserves above the ground and to safe from the moisture.

Every major issue concerning the nation was hotly debated. They were satisfied that their
natural way of living was the best. They loved the common ownership of their land and
shared common fields. The yield of the fields was stored in public granaries.

They are thinking about the environment and the plantation. These people plant corn, squash
and beans- the traditional three sisters of native tables.

This indigenous people wear their traditional dresses always. Specially women wear their
traditional own made clothes, shell made jewels, wool made waist chain, long and pearl made
ear rings and bamboo made bangles and etc..

They do many hand crafts such as making dolls,pottery,weave river cane basket and
etc...river cane basket is special here because they are making this to use to protect tools from
rain. This art of cane basketry has existed for 6000 years. They are following herbal medicine
system and traditional food system.

Actually Chickasaw is a nation. They are following their own legislation and law. They have
a separated citizenship. Earlier Chickasaw and Choctaw were together but later Chickasaw
separated and keep their own government.

They do everything with their own tradition. But, unfortunately nowadays their youngsters
are influenced with the western culture and they are changing themselves. So, they started a
cultural centre called as ‘chickasaw cultural center’ and share their stories, traditions, crafts ,
artistry and perhaps most precious their native language. Not only the younger generation of
Chickasaw but others also get to know about them here.

Chickasaw people are cultural treasures. They give priority to the indigenousness. The life
of indigenous people is dying in all over the world. Youngsters also losing their tradition
step by step. Everyone have the responsibility to save this great tradition for the upcoming
generations.

Ms.P.Sowmiya