FOUR DIRECTIONS INSTITUTE

 

Chawasha

  

 

Ethnie: CHAWASHA
Language: Chitimacha
Family: Chitimacha
Stock: Tunica
Phylum: Algic
Macro-Culture: Eastern Woodlands
Speakers Extinct
      The Chawasha were a small sedentary hunter/farmer tribe closely related to the Chitimacha.  They were first located at Bayou Lafourche and then east across the Mississippi.  They merged with the Washa but conflicts dealt them both an early extinction.
Aboriginal Locations (# of Villages)
LA   (1)
Present Locations
Extinct
Year History
1543 May have attacked De Leon along with Washa using atlatls
1699 Living on Bayou Lafourche, may have attacked British ship ascending Mississippi under Capt. Bond, furnishe d40 warriors on punitive attack against Chitimacha to avenge death of missionary St. Cosme
1712 Moved to Mississippi River below English Turn
1713 Attacked by Chickasaw, Yazoo, and Natchez who killed chief and others, carried off 11 prisoners including chief's wife ... raid conducted in the interest of British slave traders
1729 Attacked by a band of Negro slaves in response to a Natchez massacre of Whites, tribe thought to be destroyed but possibly only seven or eight males killed
1739 Comprised one village of the Washa
1758 Living among Washa, only 10 to 12 warriors
1805 Remaining Washa/Chawasha population only five
Year Total LA Population Source
1700 120 Swanton
1700 150 NAHDB calculation
1800 0 NAHDB calculation
1900 0 NAHDB calculation 
2000 0 NAHDB calculation 
Other speakers of the same language:
Chitimacha, Washa
Chawasha Sites:
Chitimacha History  http://www.dickshovel.com/chi.html
Chitimacha Language  http://www.ethnologue.com/14/show_language.asp?code=CHM
Chitimacha Linguistic Lineage  http://www.ethnologue.com/14/show_lang_family.asp?code=CHM
Chitamacha, Washa, Chawasha & Yagenechito  http://www.angelfire.com/realm/shades/nativeamericans/chitamacha.htm
Louisiana Indian Tribes  http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/louisiana/index.htm
Remnants of an Old Indian Tribe Documented  http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues01/Co03102001/CO_03102001_Remnants.htm
Researching Bayou Indians  Student Project  http://www.ccshost.com/btnep_educators/client_files/editor_files/LGActivity%209-02%20Researching%20Bayou%20Indians.pdf

Last updated 10/02/07  Copyright © 2007 by Four Directions Press