Chickasaw
Location: The homelands of the Chickasaw (chick-a-saw)
includes what is now known as northern Mississippi and Alabama.Best Known Features: The
Chickasaw flag is indigo and bears a representation of the seal of the
Chickasaw Nation. The gold and light purple stripes symbolize the purity and
honor of the people. The warrior represents Tishomingo and all Chickasaw
people. Tishomingo was the last war chief from the time period when the
Chickasaw lived in the southeastern area of the United States. Tishomingo has
two arrows in his hand. These stand for historical divisions of the Chickasaw,
the forest and town dwellers. The four head feathers worn by Tishomingo
represent the four directions on a compass. The bow and quiver stand for a
warrior's honor to defend his people. The shield symbolizes the protection that
warriors offer the Chickasaw.History: It is suspected that
in earlier history the Chickasaw and Choctaw may have been a single tribe. The
Chickasaw were a semi-nomadic tribe that closely patrolled their claimed
territory and raided territory to the north. While doing so, they absorbed the
remnants of the tribes that they conquered. By doing this, they became a
mixed-blood tribe. They became known as "breeds".
In the 18th century the Chickasaw got involved in the
struggles between the British and French. They took sides with the British
against the French and Choctaw. In the 1830's they were removed with force to
Indian Territory that is now known as Oklahoma. They joined the already present
tribes of Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw and Seminole. Some Indians now live on
tribal landholdings, otherwise known as reservations.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not
claim expertise on the Chickasaw.
Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the web address of this page.
If you are Chickasaw, your feedback is much appreciated.
The official site of the Chickasaw Nation: http://www.chickasaw.net/
References:
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"Chickasaw." The New Encyclopedia Britannica.
1994. ed.
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"Chickasaw." The World Book Encyclopedia. 1995.
ed.
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"The Flag of the Chickasaw." Internet. 28 Nov. 1998
Available FTP: user.aol.com/dohn523.navapage/chikasa.htm
Written by: Jennifer Segar
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