CHICKASAW TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, ETC.  (cont.)
Page 551
 

Nation and that he knew that tribe better than he did the Choctaws. Romans described the Chickasaws as a haughty, insolent, fierce, and cruel race, filthy in their discourse, corrupt in their morals, well-made, powerful and lazy, excellent hunters, expert swimmers, and good warriors. The Choctaws he lauded as a nation of agriculturists, inclined to industry and peace. Adair on the other hand lauds the Chickasaws. Claiborne, who had official intercourse with the Choctaws, speaks in glowing terms of them.

He says:

“The Choctaws never robbed nor permitted robbers to live with them. Honesty on the part of the men and chastity of the women were characteristics of the Choctaw people.”23
 
 

IV. CHICKASAW MARRIAGE CUSTOMS.

The following statement from Cyrus Harris, a mixed-breed Chickasaw, relates to Chickasaw marriage customs:

“When a man found a girl that suited his fancy, he would send his mother or sister with perhaps calico enough to make one or more dresses, tied up in a shawl or handkerchief, with instructions to ask the father and mother of the girl to give their approval of the intention of the sender. If they gave their consent, the bundle was handed to the girl. If she took the bundle, it was considered a bargain made. The mother or sister brings back news of her errand. The maji then hunts up his clcthes and dresses himself from head to foot, paints his face with vermilion and other paints, and starts for the residence of his intended. On reaching the place he is invited to take a seat on a cowhide or the hide of any ‘varmint’ generally used for seats in those days. After the general topics of the day are talked over, supper is announced. The visitor and the intended father-in-law, in the absence of any other visitor, take supper, unaccompanied by the intended wife or her mother. Some time after supper, a bed commonly occupied by the girl is prepared for their accommodation, the girl getting in bed first, previous to the man’s entering the bedroom. The man comes in and occupies the front side of the bed. This makes them man and wife, and, at any time, either one of them getting dissatisfied with the other, by jealousy or otherwise, they separate mutually. This, sir, was ancient marriage ceremony among the Chickasaws."24
 
 

V. BURIAL. CUSTOMS.

The Chickasaws and Choctaws, though they called themselves
brothers and had nearly similar ways, observed different burial
Customs.  The following from Adair describes the burial of
Geasa, a Chickasaw chief:

---

23 Claiborne's Miss.
24 Cyrus Harris to author, “June 18th, 1881"

Next
Back
Chickasaw Traditions Menu