Caddo Indians

CADDO INDIANS

Let’s find out about the Caddo Nation! The original name of the Caddo was Cadohadacho

When the Europeans came to North America, the Caddo lived in the present states of Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Today, most of the Caddo live in the state of Oklahoma.

The Caddo looked like this

First, the Caddo! Language Most Caddo speak

English today but many also speak the Caddo language.

Example: “Kua’at”(pronounced Koo-ah-aht) is a friendly greeting.

Caddo women Caddo women wore

wraparound skirts and poncho tops made of deerskin. They usually braided their hair or tied it back with ribbons.

Both men and women wore earrings and moccasins.

Hair styles! Men wore their hair in

a scalplock. (One long lock of hair on top of their head usually braided).

Sometimes the men wore a “ roach” or headpiece made of red-dyed deer hair and turkey beards.

“turkey roach”

Women and hair styles Caddo women

usually wore their long hair in a bun.

For special occasions they would add ornaments or ribbons to their bun.

Caddo transportation The Caddo

preferred to travel by land but also made dugout canoes out of logs for travel by water.

What kind of food did the Caddo eat?

The Caddo Indians were farmers and hunters. They grew corn, beans, pumpkins and

sunflowers. They hunted deer, buffalo and small game

and fished.

Tools used by the Caddo To hunt they used

bows and arrows They also made

axes with a heavy stone head to chop wood.

When they fought other people, they used their bows and arrows and their tomahawk. Caddo ax

Caddo homes Caddo homes were

tall, dome-shaped grass houses. Sometimes they were so large, 30 people could live in them!

How were Caddo children raised?

Caddo children were busy doing chores for the family. They did not have much play time. They did play with dolls and toys. A game

they played was trying to throw a dart through a moving hoop. (hoop dart anyone?)

Caddo art The Caddo people

were famous for their pottery.

Caddo musicThe favorite Caddo musical instrument is the drum. As drums are played, other Caddo dance and sing.

Caddo Indian legends and folklore One story is called, “Village Boy and Wild

Boy.” It is about mythical twins whose mother was killed by a monster.

Another story is called “Coyote.” It is about a tricky figure who gets involved in different forms of mischief!