The Migrations and Changing Culture of the Alabama and Coushatta, 1700-1900

Abstract

The Alabama and Coushatta Indians have been known to history since the De Solo Expedition (1539-1541 A.D.) and to prehistory since Mature Mississippian times (1200-1500 A.D.). This study focuses on cultural changes through time—from 1700 A.D. to 1900 A.D.—and postulates a reducing tradition, or an increasing simplification through loss of culture traits over the time frame.

Both tribes passed from the Mature Mississippian to the Burial Urn Culture and on the Alabama River both adopted the culture of the Creeks. They came into early contact with the English arid French traders (17th and 18th centuries), inducing further cultural changes.

Migration also played a role in the reducing tradition. The Alabama and Coushatta moved west after the Treaty of Paris (1763) and abandoned the Alabama River completely after the Creek War (1813-1814). Numerous encampments and villages were set up in Louisiana. The Alabama finally moved to east Texas: the Coushatta consolidated at Indian Village. Louisiana (1840s) where they were forced off the land by white homesteaders. After their Indian cultural traditions were all but lost, the Coushatta finally settled near Bayou Blue in Louisiana (1884).