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The Indians of Texas
For millennia, various tribes of native Americans occupied the
region that is now Texas. They were as diverse in culture as the geography of
Texas itself. The following is a very brief overview of the major tribes that
existed at the time of the first European exploration:
- The Caddos in east and northeast Texas were perhaps the most culturally
developed. They were successful agriculturists who lived in permanent
abodes. It was a group within this tribe that the early Spanish authorities
called the Tejas, which is said to be the tribes's word for friend. From
this origin, the name evolved to become the name for Mexican province, then
the republic, and now the state.
- The Karankawas ranged along the Gulf coast between present Galveston and
Corpus Christi. They were loosly organized in a very primitive culture, and
lived mostly fishermen.
- The Coahuiltecan occupied the region along the lower Rio Grand. Members
of this tribe eked out a sparse existance of nourished mainly by roots,
herbs, and prickly pear cactus. Because of their location remote from the
main settlements of early Texas, they had little contact with the Texans.
- The Lipan, or Lipan-Apache, were among the more important subgroups of
Apaches in Texas. They ranged the furthest eastward and had the most contact
with the early Texas settlements. The Lipans fought the Texans, but on many
occasions in the nineteenth century became allies of the Texans in campaigns
against other Indians.
- Other related groups of Apaches, especially the Mescalero-Apache, ranged
generally from west Texas into present New Mexico and Arizona.
- The well known Comanche tribes were relative latecomers to Texas, after
migrating from the north and northwest. They were perhaps the most
troublesome to the early settlers, and were also the most feared. Their
mobility and horsemanship seemed to amplify their numbers in the eyes of the
early Texans.
- The Tonkawa occupied the region of central Texas. Like the Comanche,
they were very mobile and hunted buffalo, deer, and smaller game.
In addition the these native Texas tribes, numerous others
entered east Texas in the early part of the nineteenth century. They came as
refugees from the increasingly populated areas east of the Mississippi. The more
significant of these tribes included the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Kickapoo,
and Shawnee.
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