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Chichasha as they call themselves, or Chickasaw as the government calls them, are a people who see themselves as 'enduring'. Our time at their cultural Centre was exceptionally good.
The day dawned cloudless and warm. Driving on 'normal' highways was far more relaxing than my experience on the i35 to Fort Worth. I finally got to see oil derricks working extracting that black gold Texas is famous for. we stopped at a look out and the scent of Cedar infused the air.
When we arrived and went to pay we were told it would only be 410 for us both because except for admission everything else was free. Stomp dancing at the theatre was 1st on the list and I joined in a couple of dances. Only the men sing, but the women keep the beat of the song with amazing shakers strapped to the calves of their legs. When I had the opportunity to look more closely I found they are made of tins about the size of Gravox jars, 3 stacked on each other and 4 rows of them. Each can has little river stones in them and small holes are punctured in the can's side to amplify the noise. They can weigh up to 30lbs a pair. Those women must have incredible leg muscles, sometimes the dancing goes all night. Before trading happened they were made from turtle shells with deer hoof toes in them. A pair could take up to 500 toes and a deer has 8 toes, so that is a lot of deer!
After watching a film called 'First Encounter' about de Sota, a spaniard who tried to subjugate them but was defeated and ran away, the next encounter-with the British was 150 years later. We then wandered up to Poya Exhibit Centre There were exhibits about their history and traditions and a corridor portraying their removal from their homelands along the Mississippi to Oklahoma where they are today. They refer to this journey as 'The Trail of Tears', rightly so.
The exhibits in the Aaittafarma' Room were all about the 101 dugout canoes that were found recently by high school students on a field trip and ranged from 500 to 5000 years old. It was amazing to learn about this historic find and the exhibits were detailed with a variety of interactive things to do.
As we came out we fell into conversation with one of the guides called Linda. We asked if she could show us around a bit and were whisked away to a golf cart (I have always wanted to tour around on one of these!!). We were given a guided tour of everywhere for the next 3 & a half hours, magic! She treated us like long lost friends, stopped when I wanted to take photos, chatted with the other guides, one who was her father; who was in his eighties and still helping out and sharing his knowledge. Chickasha say that their children are cherished and older people respected. Not only did we get extra insight into traditions, festivals and stories, but we had the opportunity to hear, first hand how her people are regaining their culture and cohesiveness.
In the Traditional Village area we discovered what the 'Three Sisters' Festival' is really about: when spring arrives corn is planted out, 4 kernels in each mound. When it grows its 1st 2 leaves, climbing beans are planted at its base so they have something to grow upwards on, when these have germinated squash seeds are sown at the base of the corn. When the squash grow they help to keep the moisture in the soil for the corn during the hot summer months. These plants are the 3 sisters and a festival is held for them when all 3 have germinated.
Another story is handed down concerning the high pole with a red fish on it in the middle of the grass common. A long time ago the children were playing on the grass and an eagle swooped down and carried off a crawling baby! The people threw stones at it but to no avail. This unfortunately happened again, so the people erected a very tall pole with a large fish attached to it. Sure enough the eagle was attracted to this and when he tried to take it he was caught and they dragged him down and stoned him to death. The pole is there to remind the children to stay close to their parents and come when called.
We proceeded on to the Holisso (The Centre for Study of Chickasaw History and Culture). It is a calm, serene place with reference books galore, art work and artefacts of more recent history, we were the only ones in there. We then got back in the gold cart and toured the Honor Garden featuring black granite plaques of special Chickasaw people, like the 1st Chichasaw astronaut. The statues and other monumental art around the site are beautiful and majestic i would love to have at least one in my garden!
These people have a right to be proud and I could have spent at least one more day there.
- comments
Bruce I think modern times we seam to forget about companion planting
Nicola Wow Bev. I'd love to see this dugout canoe. Hard to believe its probably older than 500 years old !! Great photo of you.
Bruce Just impresive
Bruce outstanding
Bruce It just makes sense
bevlangbein Yes, it was very insightful.
Bruce You make any scenery look good , but be carefull ! you like , you could be up the creek with out a paddle
Pamela channelling your inner Pocahontas , Bev?
bevlangbein I need my feather headdress Pam, then I will be all set.