A Classic Catawba Christmas
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Zachary Family's Traditions
It's not Christmas Eve without a toasty turkey stew and my grandmother's memories from her past. Every December 24th, my Grandmother would retell stories about a simple life on a reservation in the middle of South Carolina. My family would gather around the dining room table, decorated with pottery and plates of turkey stew, and listen attentively to my Grandma speak. My Grandma claims to have eaten this meal on Christmas Eve for the past 87 years.
The Catawba Indian Nation shaped my family's identity and the traditions we practice today. During our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Catawba pottery is arranged on the centerpiece and Catawba food is served. These traditions reflect the Catawba Indian Nation and unite the current members today.
My Dad prepping for Christmas Eve (photo creds: me)
Christmas 2012 (photo creds: Grandma)
A Nation is Born
The Catawba Indian Nation (CIN) was founded in the northwest Carolinas where six early villages were established alongside a river in the 1550s. The Catawban people were often referred to as Issa or Esaw which translates to "People of the River." Their proximity to the river allowed them to flourish and hunt.
The tribe was referred to as the “Flatheads” by the English because of the traditional ritual of head-flattening male infants. Head flattening involves intentionally modifying the shape of a human skull.
In 1540, while mining for gold, Hernando de Soto recorded the first known contact with the Catawba tribe. Initially, there was no contact between the Spanish settlers and the tribe. However, after the establishment of Jamestown and Charles Town, trade increased between the natives and the early settlers. The Catawba village's popularity increased once the settlers discovered deerskin, which was unique to the Catawba tribe. The two groups traded goods for survival.
Native American hunting with a blowgun (photo creds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowgun)
Traditional roles in the tribe included women working in the field while the men hunted animals such as buffalo and turkey for food. The meat was then divided among the tribe and added to meals such as stews. Sharing food and making stew is a tradition that Catawba Indian Nation members continue today. Blowguns, narrow tubes used to propel small rocks or other projectiles, were useful for capturing animals for food.
Relationships with the British
Through the 16th and 17th centuries, the Catawba Indian Nation interacted with non-natives, especially the British, by trading through multiple trade routes. The Catawba Indian Nation had a reputation for their “philosophy of brotherly love and peace” which sparked many alliances (South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs). The Catawba Indian Nation treated the Europeans with kindness and respect.
However, this interaction also brought consequences to the Catawba Indian Nation. New diseases were introduced by the early settlers that decreased the population by 90 percent and damaged the tribe's spirit. Two rounds of smallpox threaten the extinction of the tribe as only 100 members were confirmed in the early 1900s. While other tribes migrated on the Trail of Tears, the Catawba Indian Nation remained in South Carolina because of their lack of members and the threat of potential extinction. South Carolina Governor David Johnson declared the Catawba Indian Nation “are, in effect, dissolved” (The Catawba Nation) when the nation was threatened with smallpox.
The Catawba federal status was withdrawn in 1951 and regained back in 1993. This was a direct result of the decline in population from smallpox.
Native Americans losing members as a result of European diseases (photo creds: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quora.com%2FDid-the-colonists-know-they-were-spreading-diseases-to-the-Native-Americans&psig=AOvVaw1zkQPgZcbSb8giFiV16lwg&ust=1717032379073000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCJDN95nasYYDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK)
Native Americans and settlers remaining peaceful (photo creds https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Meeting_of_Brock_and_Tecumseh,_1812.jpg)
Chiefs in the Tribe
King Hagler (photo creds: http://www.theofficialschalloffame.com/directlink.html?id=30)
The power of the chiefs contributed to the Catawba Indian Nation's growth and popularity. The chief of the Catawba Indian Nation, King Hagler, ruled with great power from the early 1700s to 1763. He befriended the English and brought respect to the nation by treating other tribes peacefully. He highly encouraged treaties to protect his nation and sought opportunities to help the tribe succeed.
The Catawba Indian Nation was granted 144,000 acres of land from the King of England under King Hagler's control. The Catawba warriors were so fierce that even George Washington mentioned their passion and value in his journals. These warriors were led and trained by the chiefs.
Enemy Native Americans and settlers began to attack the Catawba Indian Nation members and, as a result, the Yamasee War occurred from 1711 to 1713. King Hangler offered the tribe's resources and assistance to the governor of South Carolina to promote peace. The chief's ability to adapt to new circumstances determined the positive future of the tribe.
Traditions
Despite enduring challenges that threatened the Catawba Indian Nations culture, community, and heritage, the nation preserved their tradition of pottery making. This art form has been thriving and encouraged in the Catawba tribe since the birth of the nation. It was practiced throughout numerous conflicts and, as a result, remains the oldest art practice. The popularity of Catawba pottery, formed from the clay from their reservation, promoted economic growth from tribes buying and trading for the goods. The beauty and process of creating pottery united the tribe and gained attention from outside sources, such as the English. Today, the nation remains committed to keeping this 4,000-year old tradition alive by sculpting art pieces and passing the technique onto future generations. Catawba potters are trained to teach the skills to younger members, guaranteeing the art of pottery making continues to unite the community.
Traditions and practices in tribal life impacted the Catawba culture. For example, turkey stew remains a strong centripetal force in the Catawba community which unites all members. Below are my family's recipes that can be found on my grandmother's kitchen counter every Christmas Eve. Both recipes hold a special place in my heart.
Pottery sculpted from the Catawba Tribe (photo creds: me)
Additional Catawba pottery (photo creds: )
Photo creds: Me created by Canva
Photo creds: Me created by Canva
Catawba Today
Currently, there are only 3,300 members of the Catawba Indian Nation. Traditions of the Catawba Indian Nation are seen in the world today and kept sacred to the tribe. Catawba pottery and traditional recipes can be found globally which gives people a glimpse of life on the reservoir.
A Catawba Timeline (photo creds: me created by Canva)
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