Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Creek (Muskogee)
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genre: History
Book Type: Paperback
Although not as well known as the Sioux or Cheyenne Indians, the Creek are a race that is tied to the Ancient Moundbuilders. Modern anthropologists believe the Creek descended from the 'Mississippian Culture.' This designation is not clearly defined but is signified by their highly distinctive sacred artifacts. The Creek had a triad of religious cults based on warfare, fertility, and ancestor worship. Each Mississippian cult was separate and distinct. The photos of the mounds added much to my understanding of the text.
To protect themselves and their culture, the Muskogee formed a Confederacy; they resembled Greek city-states. The 'red towns' took care of war matters; the 'white towns' were responsible for peaceful matters. The Muscogee/Creek are not Seminole but some of the Seminole Nation are Creek. The Creek people were matrilineal, meaning each person belonged to the clan of their mother. It was the mother's brother who functioned as the prime teacher of her children. In marriage, the man moved into his wife's mother's household but his prime allegiance remained with his birth mother.
They were one of the most established groups of the Southeastern US and were one of the 5 Civilized Tribes. They were called this because of the rapidity with which they adapted European customs. The Creek culture was dominated by agriculture while hunting for game.
It is believed that it was the Creeks that Spaniard Hernando de Soto met on his first exploratory trip in the mid-1600s. The Creek/Muscogee were involved in serious in-fighting and civil war (in the 1800s). Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, tried to organize the leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes for violent resistance to the whites but was unsuccessful. Later, they were involved in the War of 1812. By its end, the Creek were forced to cede millions of acres to the US government.
This is another story of the depressing removal of a once-proud people. It seems that because the Creek negotiated instead of fighting (in the beginning), they got almost nothing for being 'good Indians.' In spite of the assurances that the Creek are making a comeback, it is depressing reading to see how shabbily they were treated.
To protect themselves and their culture, the Muskogee formed a Confederacy; they resembled Greek city-states. The 'red towns' took care of war matters; the 'white towns' were responsible for peaceful matters. The Muscogee/Creek are not Seminole but some of the Seminole Nation are Creek. The Creek people were matrilineal, meaning each person belonged to the clan of their mother. It was the mother's brother who functioned as the prime teacher of her children. In marriage, the man moved into his wife's mother's household but his prime allegiance remained with his birth mother.
They were one of the most established groups of the Southeastern US and were one of the 5 Civilized Tribes. They were called this because of the rapidity with which they adapted European customs. The Creek culture was dominated by agriculture while hunting for game.
It is believed that it was the Creeks that Spaniard Hernando de Soto met on his first exploratory trip in the mid-1600s. The Creek/Muscogee were involved in serious in-fighting and civil war (in the 1800s). Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief, tried to organize the leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes for violent resistance to the whites but was unsuccessful. Later, they were involved in the War of 1812. By its end, the Creek were forced to cede millions of acres to the US government.
This is another story of the depressing removal of a once-proud people. It seems that because the Creek negotiated instead of fighting (in the beginning), they got almost nothing for being 'good Indians.' In spite of the assurances that the Creek are making a comeback, it is depressing reading to see how shabbily they were treated.
