The Karankawa Tribe
Location
The Karankawas were nomadic so they moved around a lot in search of food and resources. They mainly lived on the coast of Southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.
Food
The Karankawas ate many things like alligator, turtle, javelina, deer, turkey, fish, oyster, roots, and other plants like blackberries. If they ever went farther to hunt, they would get bison, bears, and other meats. They would later use many of their bones to make tools and other various things.
Customs / Traditions
Here are some of the many customs and traditions the Karankawas had:
-All the small family groups got together by using smoke signals to find each other. They would also use these signals in desperate times.
-Every band from the Karankawas had their own chief who was usually the oldest person of the group. They did not get very much power.
-Marriage was arranged by the parents of the people getting married. During a marriage, the man had to give the woman's family presents, but was still not allowed to enter his in-law's huts.
-All the small family groups got together by using smoke signals to find each other. They would also use these signals in desperate times.
-Every band from the Karankawas had their own chief who was usually the oldest person of the group. They did not get very much power.
-Marriage was arranged by the parents of the people getting married. During a marriage, the man had to give the woman's family presents, but was still not allowed to enter his in-law's huts.
Fun Facts!
-They traded a lot with the Coahuiltecans because they were one of the closest tribes to them. Mainly traded conch shells in exchange for red ocher, skins, deer hair, and flint.
-Had a 100 word language.
-Most men were over 6 feet tall.
-They used big bows and arrows in battle and for hunting.
-Had a 100 word language.
-Most men were over 6 feet tall.
-They used big bows and arrows in battle and for hunting.
Struggles
The first Spaniards had lived near their territory for a while and had many battles with the Karankawas. They eventually brought large armies to the coast and killed all the Karankawas. They once had been a big tribe but had become extinct.
Accomplishments
When Spaniard settlers came to explore the Texas coastline, the Karankawas fought against them and killed most of them. They took the 6 children prisoners but they were soon later rescued by another exploration. The Karankawas were also very smart and built things like canoes and other things that helped them with their daily lives.