The Natchez – A Sociably Advanced People

The Natchez people, an indigenous group of North America, originally thrived in the fertile lands surrounding the Natchez Bluffs, near the present-day city of Natchez, Mississippi. The name "Natchez" itself, initially designating a single prominent town, eventually encompassed the entire tribe and a confederation of settlements. This confederation included individuals of diverse origins who had either been subjugated by the Natchez or sought refuge under their protection. Among these associated groups were the Tioux and Grigras, distinct nations that found security within the Natchez sphere of influence.

In 1699, as Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville journeyed up the mighty Mississippi River, he documented the existence of eight tribal towns in addition to the central Natchez settlement. It is reasonable to conclude that these nine towns collectively represented the entirety of the Natchez people and their allied communities at that time.

The explorer Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, another early European observer, recounted a tradition suggesting that the Taensa and Chitimacha tribes were once united with the Natchez but later separated. Despite this historical divergence, the Natchez consistently regarded the Taensa as kin. The Chitimacha, however, belonged to a separate linguistic family, indicating a more distant relationship.

Estimating the population of the Natchez people presents a challenge due to inconsistencies in historical records. However, it is believed that in 1682, when the French first encountered them, the Natchez numbered approximately 6,000 individuals, with a fighting force capable of fielding between 1,000 and 1,200 warriors.

The Natchez experienced a turbulent relationship with the French, marked by three significant wars in 1716, 1722, and 1729. The final conflict, proving devastating to the Natchez nation, stemmed from the French governor Chopart’s ambition to seize the site of the Natchez’s principal village for his own plantation. This act ignited a fierce rebellion, beginning with a coordinated massacre of the French at Fort Rosalie, which had been established in 1716.

In response, the French launched a retaliatory campaign against the Natchez villages, bolstered by a substantial contingent of Choctaw allies. By 1730, the Natchez were compelled to abandon their ancestral lands.

The Natchez diaspora unfolded in several directions. A small faction remained in the vicinity of their former homeland, clinging to familiar territory. A second group sought refuge on Sicily Island, near the Washita River, only to be attacked by the French in early 1731. Many were killed, and approximately 450 Natchez were captured and sold into slavery in Santo Domingo.

The largest division of the Natchez found sanctuary with the Chickasaw, who granted them land near their settlements in northern Mississippi. There, the Natchez established a village called Nanne Hamgeh. By 1735, this refugee community comprised around 180 warriors, suggesting a total population of approximately 700.

In that same year, another group of Natchez refugees, seeking a new beginning, migrated to South Carolina with the permission of the colonial government. However, after some time, they relocated to the Cherokee territory, where they maintained their distinct town and language until around 1800. The main body of Natchez refugees ultimately settled on Tallahassee Creek, a tributary of the Coosa River. In 1799, their warrior strength was estimated at approximately 50. Having endured severe losses, the remaining Natchez dispersed widely, integrating into other tribes.

The Natchez and other tribes inhabiting the lower Mississippi River region occupied a unique position among Native American societies. They were predominantly sedentary, relying heavily on agriculture for their sustenance. They exhibited remarkable skill in various arts, weaving textiles from the inner bark of the mulberry tree for clothing. Their pottery was of exceptional quality, and they constructed earthen mounds to elevate their dwellings and temples, demonstrating architectural prowess. Notably, they were also among the eastern tribes that practiced head flattening, a cultural modification of the skull.

While generally peaceable, the Natchez, like many other tribes, were frequently embroiled in conflicts with their neighbors. Historical accounts consistently emphasize their profound devotion to sun worship and their elaborate ritual practices. The position and role of the chief within the Natchez society differed significantly from those in other tribes. The head chief, known as the "Great Sun," wielded absolute authority over the property and lives of his subjects. Upon his death, his wives were expected to sacrifice their lives, and parents often offered their children as sacrifices, reflecting the extreme power attributed to the Great Sun. The Natchez society was structured into two distinct classes: nobility and commoners.

The Natchez adhered to a strongly matrilineal system, tracing descent through the female line. Leadership was passed down from the chief, the "Great Sun," to his sister’s son, ensuring the continuity of the chiefdom within a single clan. Their language, unique and isolated, lacks known close relatives, although some theories suggest a distant relationship to the Muskogean languages of the Creek Confederacy.

Today, the descendants of the Natchez people primarily reside in Oklahoma, concentrated in two main settlements within the southern portions of the Muscogee and Cherokee Nations. South Carolina also recognizes two Natchez communities. Smaller Natchez communities and settlements can be found throughout the Southeast. In 2003, the Natchez Nation adopted a constitution, reaffirming its long-standing tradition of self-governance. The nation comprises approximately 6,000 members. Sadly, the last known speaker of the Natchez language passed away in 1965, marking a significant loss of cultural heritage.

More Information:

Natchez Nation
PO Box 484
Gore, Oklahoma 74435
918-506-9404

Also See:

Grand Village of the Natchez

Native American Photo Galleries

Native American Tribes

Native Americans – First Owners of America