19 Facts About Choctaw

Choctaw are a Native American people originally based in the Southeastern Woodlands, in what is Alabama and Mississippi.

Choctaw were first noted by Europeans in French written records of 1675.

Choctaw coalesced as a people in the 17th century and developed at least three distinct political and geographical divisions: eastern, western, and southern.

European Americans considered the Choctaw to be one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" of the Southeast.

Those Choctaw who chose to stay in the state of Mississippi were considered state and U S citizens; they were one of the first major non-European ethnic groups to be granted citizenship.

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Choctaw is an anglization of Chahta, whose meaning is unknown.

Choctaw people are believed to have coalesced in the 17th century, perhaps from peoples from Alabama and the Plaquemine culture.

The Choctaw practiced Head flattening as a ritual adornment for its people, but the practice eventually fell out of favor.

In mid-summer the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians celebrate their traditional culture during the Choctaw Indian Fair with ball games, dancing, cooking and entertainment.

Identity was established first by moiety and iska; so a Choctaw identified first as Imoklasha or Inhulata, and second as Choctaw.

Choctaw language is a member of the Muskogean family and was well known among the frontiersmen, such as Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison, of the early 19th century.

The Choctaw language is the essence of tribal culture, tradition, and identity.

Many Choctaw adults learned to speak the language before speaking English.

Choctaw was represented as looking down upon the earth, and as long as he kept his flaming eye fixed on any one, the person was safe.

Anthropologist theorize that the Mississippian ancestors of the Choctaw placed the sun at the center of their cosmological system.

John Swanton wrote, "an old Choctaw informed Wright that before the arrival of the missionaries, they had no conception of prayer.

Choctaw added, "I have indeed heard it asserted by some, that anciently their hopaii, or prophets, on some occasions were accustomed to address the sun.

Today many Choctaw wear such traditional clothing mainly for special events.

Choctaw dresses are trimmed by full diamond, half diamond or circle, and crosses that represent stickball sticks.