Sep 18, 2017

Who Are the Plains Tribes? s3v3a

The Plains Indians lived in the huge area between the Mississippi and the Sioux, Cheyenne, Comanche and Blackfoot.

American Indians - Plains Tribes and Southeastern Tribes

Plains Tribes - Shelter 6a810

Since the Plains Indians followed the buffalo around, they needed shelter they could covered in mud.

Plains Tribes - Food i734f

The Plains tribes were hunters and gathers. Not everyone grew the same food so they pumpkins and other vegetables. Antelope was another common meal.

Plains Tribes - Clothing j3x5t

Men usually wore animal skin leggings, a loin cloth (a small piece of cloth or skin worn between the legs) and a belt (to hold the loin cloth). When it was cold, they wore buffalo skin on their shoulders. Women and girls wore dresses made of deerskin.

Plains Tribes - Ceremonies 4z6i2

One of the important ceremonies was the Sun Dance. This was usually a four day celebration in the summer. Dancers all moved in sync and didn't eat or drink. Some men would even pierce their chests with wooden skewers. Ouch! Another important dance was the Ghost Dance that took place at night. The Plains Tribes believed they could speak to the gods and their ancestors during this ceremony.

Plains Tribes - Did U Know? 1l6zl

The best way to earn respect was through battle. Warriors would bring scalps home to prove their success and wear them.

Southeastern Tribes 3jp8

Southeastern tribes lived in states like Louisiana, Georgia and Alabama. They were hunters and gatherers. Some of them moved from one area to another but the majority stayed in the same area. It just depended on where they lived and how much food was available. Some of the Southeastern tribes include Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole.

Southeastern Tribes - Shelter 2r3n10

Some of the tribes lived in round homes much like wigwams - made from logs and sticks, then covered with grass. There was a hole in the top so light could enter. A few tribes had two-storey frame houses covered with bark, others had thatch-roofed houses.

Southeastern Tribes - Food 2h6j20

The food hasn't changed that much over the years. It's still the same typical diet of southeastern diets. They ate cornpones, corn bread, hominy grits, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes. They also had more possum, Turkey was a regular meal as well as veggies.

Southeastern Tribes - Clothing 6xaz

Some of the Southeastern tribes were into bright colors, while others probably didn't have that option. In the summer the woman usually went naked from the waist up. In the winter they wore moss and wool. One of the styles of clothing that became popular later on was a long skirt and a cloth that went over the shoulders.

Southeastern Tribes - Ceremonies 2z5g48

The Green Corn Festival was one of the most important ceremonies. It happened in the fall. Chanting shamans and warriors circled a cooking fire, carrying corn. After the corn was boiled, it was hung up above the fire as a sacred offering to the Great Spirit. A new fire was built and enough corn for the entire village was made while people danced.

Southeastern Tribes - Did U Know? 5z4z4h

Southeastern tribes were famous for intermarriage. The Shawnee Chief, Blue Jacket, was an adopted Caucasian. There was even an African American, John Horse, who was a Seminole warrior. Many others were a mix of races and tribes. Nobody cared as long as the culture didn't change and was kept alive.