Introduction
In the 1830s, the State of Georgia underwent significant demographic and social changes because of the removal of Native American populations to the Indian territory. As one of the lastly founded British colonies in 1732, this state was known as the largest American region with the current Alabama and Mississippi territories (Coleman, 2021; Lannen, 2017). In addition to its multiple plantations, cultures, and landscapes, Georgia was the most populous southern state by the middle of the 19th century. When European explorers and settlers arrived, the formation of new societies was observed. The Creeks and the Cherokees were the largest communities that played an important role in the state’s growth and development (Sapp, 2018). However, the contributions of the Muscogee, the Chickasaw, the Timucua, the Apalachee, the Hitchiti, the Guale, and the Yamasee should not be ignored (Smithers, 2019). Identifying the cultural differences and similarities of these tribes helps improve an understanding of American history and the current variety of religious beliefs, interests, and lifestyles. The representatives of different tribes worked and lived in Georgia during the last 12,000 years, determining current living conditions and decisions.
Brief Descriptions
The number of tribes who have lived in Georgia is reaching 20, but, regarding the limited contact with all populations and poor awareness of all specifics, it is hard to give the right data. Together with the well-known Creeks and Cherokees, there are many other communities with their histories and traditions. Sometimes, it is hard to identify the differences because most people follow the same cultural beliefs, but the recognition of differences is a unique opportunity to show how and why varieties exist today.
The Creek
The Creek Indians occupied extensive land in Georgia, including the fall line, some piedmont areas, and the coastal plain of the South. However, in the 18th century, the tribe began losing its land in the 1800s due to the necessity to settle peace with the government during the Creek War and after the Fort Mims massacre (Linzy, 2018). The name was given because of the preferred geographical location of rivers and creeks (Carlisle, 2020). The representatives of the tribe also called themselves the Hitchiti or the Muscogee, depending on the chosen language. Like the Cherokee, the Creek heavily used its natural resources and waterways to feed and travel.
The Cherokee
The Cherokees lived in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the northern part of the state, known as the Blue Ridge. They called themselves the principal people and used Iroquoian as the main language (Mooney, 2017). Compared to other communities, the Cherokees allied with the British before the American Revolution, which resulted in further invasions of the homeland (Sapp, 2018). Such complex relationships made them fierce warriors who had to protect each other and consider beneficial allies.
The Muscogee
The Muscogee were hard-working descendants of the Mississippian mound-building society. Regarding the current discussion, it is correct to admit that the Muscogee was not just one tribe but a group of communities that evolved into a confederacy (Mooney, 2018). They lived in the southeast of the state and, similar to the Creeks, preferred the areas close to rivers and other water resources. However, their main distinctive feature was national identity and the desire to be distinct, addressing their extraordinary history and cultural inheritance.
The Chickasaw
During the Great Removal, the Chickasaws got a chance to inhabit the east side of Mississippi and the city of Augusta, which bordered South Carolina. These people were known for their strong ruling systems and understanding of freedom at the legal level. As well as some other tribes, the Chickasaw adopted its constitution at the end of the 19th century (Gastellum, 2018). Still, the tribe was not fond of natural resources and chose to live in forests where homes for families could be built and protected.
The Timucua
Moving to the southeast of Georgia, the representatives of another tribe, the Timucua, could be met. These Native Americans were known as the first ones who saw the Spanish explorers, which explained the intention of invaders to use this particular dialect for communication (Correia, 2021). Compared to other regions where people share common goals and ideas, the Timucua did not have one political unit, and the development of alliances and confederacies was the only way to avoid conflicts and appreciate similar needs, interests, and resources.
The Apalachee
The strong spirit of the Apalachee is known among many American communities, and its belonging to the old Indian civilization is one of the reasons. Together with Cherokee, the Apalachee were fierce warriors ready to protect their land at any cost (Smithers, 2019). Similar to the Muscogee, they built large mounds for living and ceremonies. The southeastern part of Georgia belonged to the Apalachee, and the Muskogean language was used for communication.
The Hitchiti
As a part of the Muscogee language family, the Hitchiti was also a historically significant tribe of Native Americans. In the communities, it was introduced as the group’s mother, but the origins remain poorly covered because of limited resources. Some people believed that the Hitchiti came from the families of travelers who crossed the ocean and followed the sun (Sapp, 2018). Other individuals underlined their intentions to keep peace and order.
The Guale
The Guale Indians also supported the tendency to create mounds for personal and professional purposes. If other tribes addressed their natural riches, the Guale was located on poor wetlands (The land of the Guale, 2018). Despite the existing mud, people admired the beauty of the landscape where the sea reached the land and changed the area regularly. The Guales no longer exist as they have merged into the Creek and the Yamasee tribes, with a properly attested language and culture.
The Yamasee Indians
The Yamasee Indians inhabited the northern coastal line of Georgia for a long period. These people were hard-working and spent most of their time struggling against unfair trade practices and slavery concerning Indians (Bushnell, 2018). Like most Native American tribes in the state, they were involved in multiple farming activities. Today, some controversies about this community exist: some people admit its extinction, but others underline they are alive.
Historical Perspectives of the Tribes
The history of the tribes mentioned above is almost the same, with the only difference in developing international relationships and support. The Cherokees and Creeks were the supports of the British Empire on the American territory and believed to obtain protection during the military conflicts. They developed military professionalism and shared common work and social responsibilities to establish partnerships and find support. Still, such communities as the Timucua or the Guale did not get the same opportunities and could not create appropriate living conditions and social freedoms (Locke & Wright, 2019). The tribes like the Muscogee, the Creeks, and the Chickasaw focused on establishing legal policies and constitutions to protect the rights of citizens.
Regarding the size of the tribes, it was possible to create separate social organizations, known as clans. The members of the same clans were not allowed to marry as all of them were considered brothers and sisters. For example, in Cherokee society, there were seven official clans, depending on the animals they kept: Ani Tsiskwa (bird), Aniwahya (wolf), Anikawi (deer), etc. (Ramsey, 2018). In Creek tribes, the clan division was geographical, including the towns where its members lived (Cusseta, Areka, Coosa, etc.) (Mooney, 2018). The same geographical characteristics were observed in the Timucua tribes and the Muscogee Indians. Still, not all tribes had clans because of their relationships, and not much information is now available about the hierarchies and leadership in such clans as the Hitchiti or the Guale. The Yamasee Indians introduce a multiethnic confederation due to the slave trade and constant participation in wars. Creek Indians also participated in the slave trade and used other Indians to gain financial profits.
Cultural Aspects of the Tribes
The customs, religions, and cultural heritage of each tribe were a unique contribution to understanding Native Americans who lived in Georgia. Although farming, gardening, hunting, and fishing were common activities for most communities, the representatives of each tribe demonstrated different attitudes toward nature, animals, land, and their spiritual growth. The Chickasaw Indians were a matrilineal society where female leadership and respect played an important role. However, most tribes shared similar cultural values: women were involved in farming, cooking, and childcare, while men aimed at hunting, fighting, and decision-making. In the Cherokee and Muscogee tribes, men assisted women in farming because the land was hard to cultivate, and male power was crucial for future harvest (Sapp, 2018). One of the distinctive features of the Creeks was that men, together with women, led storytelling and were responsible for sharing their experiences and history with children. In other tribes, storytelling and communication with children was usually a female job, and fathers participated in the physical development of children only.
At this moment, it is hard to trace all religious differences in Native American tribes. Still, it is known that most tribes did not believe in reincarnation, and much attention was paid to the maintenance of a good soul. Creek Indians had two souls: the good spirit that talked to men in their dreams to strengthen physical abilities and genius, and the soul of the dead person came to motivate emotionally and manage feelings. In the Cherokees, there were three worlds: upper (spiritual protection), middle (humans), and the underworld (evil) (Berg, 2021). As well as the Chickasaw, the Cherokee believed in the Sun, but the former also appreciated the power of the Cloud and Sky (Mooney, 2018). The power of land and the power of the sky were closely related in many Indian tribes because people had resources and needed to appreciate their opportunities. With time, some members of different tribes (the Cherokee, Creeks, and Muscogee Indians) accepted Christianity, but the Guale and Yamasee did not take the same step and remained devoted to their past beliefs and experiences.
Conclusion
Addressing recent experiences and observations, it is wrong to judge people according to their belonging to a particular community. However, the analysis of Native Indian tribes in Georgia and how they lived and worked promoted a better understanding of American history. Despite the existing cultural and historical differences and similarities between the representatives of the chosen tribes, these people could survive in the most challenging conditions. Some civilizations were damaged by wars and enslavement processes, while others were able to grow and promote their interests and beliefs. It was not easy for Native Americans to prove their rights and freedoms, which explained the development of warrior qualities or poor leadership in some tribes.
References
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