Caddoan Heritage

The Caddo left their names, art, and culture in Louisiana. A num- ber of colonial European families can boast of Caddoan ancestors: Grappes, Brevelles, Balthazars, and others. In Oklahoma, after years of wandering, the Kadohadacho and Hasinai have become the dominant groups. Yet, as has been pointed out, old traditions persist. Poople still recall stories of floods on Caddo Prairie which left cows hanging by their horns in the trees, and know that Natchitoches meant the place of "little yellow fruits" that do not grow in Oklahoma.

At Binger and near Hinton, Oklahoma, the old songs and dances continue to be heard and seen. The Turkey Dance still is held before the sun sets, and individuals sing the "Dawn Song" or "Thm Cat Song" on their way home from the dancing.

The Caddo now visit Louisiana, especially Natchitoches and Shreveport, to see the places of their tradition. Places are part of Indian tradition and pilgrimages are sacred acts. Perhaps now other Louisianians will join the Caddo who realize how much Indian culture remains in northwestern Louisiana.

References Cited

American State Papers
Blake Papers
Bolton, Herbert E.
Brain, Jeffrey P.
Bridges, Catherine and Winston Deville
Caddo Agency Letters
Darby, William
Ford, James A.
Fulton, Robert L. and Clarence H. Webb
Gagliano, Sherwood M. and Hiram F. Gregory, Jr.
Gregory, Hiram F., Jr.
Gregory, Hiram E, Jr. and Clarence H. Webb
Gullick, Charles Adams (editor)
Hodge, Frederick Webb (editor)
La Page du Pratz, Antoine Simon
McClure, Lilla and J. Ed Howe
McClurkan, Burney B., William T. Field and J. Ned Woodall
McWilliams, Richebourg G. (editor)
Mooney, James
Moore, Clarence B.
Neuman, Robert W
Pintado Papers
Rowland, Dunbar and Albert S. Sanders
Service, Elman
Sibley, John
Swanton, John R.
Tanner, Helen Hombeck
Taylor, Allen R.
Thomas, Prentice Marquet, Jr., L. Janice Campbell and Steven R. Ahler
1980 The Hanna site: an Alto village in Red River Parish. Louisiana Archaeology 5.

Walker, Winslow M.
Webb, Clarence H.
Webb, Clarence H. and Monroe Dodd
Webb, Clarence H. and David R. Jeane
Webb, Clarence H. and Ralph McKinney
Webb, Clarence H., Joel L. Shiner and E. Wayne Roberts
Williams, Stephen
Wyckoff, Donald G.


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