The Karankawa
By Sakina Ghafoor
Food
The Karankawa captured enemy warriors and leaders after a battle and ate them. The Karankawa ate fish, oysters, and clams safely during the winter months.
How The Karankawa Obtained Their Food
They caught sea food in shallow bays. In the summer the Karankawa would go inland and hunt Deer, Rabbits, Turtles, and Turkey. They also gathered fruits, berries and roots.
Type Of Dwelling The Karankawa Lived In
The Karankawa used tree saplings and animal skins to build huts called wickiups. They preferred to build near the ocean.
Weapons The Karankawas Used
They had bows that were almost 6 feet tall and shot long arrows made from shoots of cane. The Karankawa used a sharp rock to shave and shape wood. They wood also use bones to make hoes and needles.
Karankawa Beliefs
The Karankawa would give thanks to their gods by celebrations which involved dancing and eating big meals. They would hold the ceremonies after a successful hunt or after a fishing expedition.
Organization Of Leadership
The men had authority over women. The only leader the Karankawas had was the War Chief who only had authority when battles begun.
What Happened To The Karankawa
The Karankawa fought fiercely to keep their land from settlers. Eventually settlers in Texas wiped the Karankawa out.
Way Of Travel
Unique Fact
The Karankawa had 5 bands which were the Coco, the Copanes, the Cujanes, the Guapites, and the Carancanguases.