Caddoes
Kate Costello
Location and Region
The Caddo lived in East Texas in the piney forests. Their territory extended from Texas into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. They live in the Coastal Plains near the Red River.
Food
Caddo were farmers. They planted crops in large areas of space in the woods. They raised corn, beans, and squash. They hunted deer, turkey, rabbits, squirrels, and other animals in the woods. Women world gather plants and fruits, but farming was the main source of food. Hunting parties of men would be formed to travel west onto the Southern Plains where there were many buffalo at certain times of the year.
Dwelling
They lived in tall grass shaped huts because they were sturdy and large. Their huts were cool in the summer and warm enough in the winter.
Weapons/ Tools
They primarily used bows and arrows. They also used basket traps to catch fish. They used lots of wood since they lived in the forest to make tools such as, hoes, spades, carved bone, and mussel shells. The Caddo made axes with heavy stone for chopping down wood.
Pottery
The Caddos were most famous for their pottery. Caddo artists made elaborately decorated pots and bottles in many different styles.
Religon
The Caddo revered a god called Caddi Ayo or "captain of the sky." A member of the tribe called the "xinesi" acted as intermediary in communicating between god and the tribe, primarily through meditation.
Music
A group of Caddo men stand around the drum (most important instrument for Caddo) and play it together, while other Caddos dance in a circle and sing.
Interesting Facts
*The name Caddo comes from the Indian word Kadohadacho, which means "true chiefs"
*Most Caddos speak English today, but some people, especially elders, also speak their native Caddo language. Caddo is an endangered language because most children are not learning it anymore.
*The women of the tribe generally had long hair which they would wear in a bun. On special occasions they would decorate their hair with beads or ribbons.
*Today these Native American people live in modern day houses and apartment buildings.