Cusabo: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Ethnic group |
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|group = Cusabo |
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|image = |
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|poptime = Extinct as a tribe |
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|popplace = [[South Carolina]], [[United States]] |
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|rels = Traditional tribal religion |
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|langs = [[Unknown]] |
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|related = [[Arawak]] (theorized) |
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}} |
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The '''Cusabo''' (also '''Corsaboy''') were a group of historic [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes who lived along the coast of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in what is now [[South Carolina]], approximately between present-day [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] and the [[Savannah River]], at the time of European encounter. English colonists often referred to them as the '''Settlement Indians''' of South Carolina. At least five of the tribes appeared to speak a common language, although one distinctly different from major language families known on the continent, such as [[Algonquian]], [[Iroquoian]] and [[Muskogean]]. With the English settling on their land at Charleston beginning in the 17th century, the Cusabo developed a relationship of accommodation with the colony that persisted through the early 18th century. After the [[Yamasee War]], surviving tribal members migrated to join the [[Creek]] or [[Catawba]]. |
The '''Cusabo''' (also '''Corsaboy''') were a group of historic [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes who lived along the coast of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in what is now [[South Carolina]], approximately between present-day [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] and the [[Savannah River]], at the time of European encounter. English colonists often referred to them as the '''Settlement Indians''' of South Carolina. At least five of the tribes appeared to speak a common language, although one distinctly different from major language families known on the continent, such as [[Algonquian]], [[Iroquoian]] and [[Muskogean]]. With the English settling on their land at Charleston beginning in the 17th century, the Cusabo developed a relationship of accommodation with the colony that persisted through the early 18th century. After the [[Yamasee War]], surviving tribal members migrated to join the [[Creek]] or [[Catawba]]. |
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==Political divisions== |
==Political divisions== |
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Subtribes of the Cusabo included the Ashepoo, Combahee, [[Coosa chiefdom|Coosa]] (also Coosaw, Cussoe, or Kussoe), Edisto, Escamacu (also St Helena Indians), Etiwan (also Irwan or Eutaw), Kiawah, Stono, Wando, Wappoo and Wimbee.<ref name="sciway">[http://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/cusabo.html Cusabo], South Carolina Indians</ref> |
Subtribes of the Cusabo included the Ashepoo, Combahee, [[Coosa chiefdom|Coosa]] (also spelled Coosaw, Cussoe, or Kussoe), Edisto, Escamacu (also St. Helena Indians), Etiwan (also Irwan or Eutaw), Kiawah, [[Stono]], Wando, Wappoo and Wimbee.<ref name="sciway">[http://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/cusabo.html Cusabo], South Carolina Indians</ref> Non-Cusabo Settlement Indians listed in a 1696 report include the Sewee and [[Santee tribe|Santee]].<ref name="gallay">{{cite book |last= Gallay |first= Alan |title= The Indian Slave Trade: The Rise of the English Empire in the American South 1670-1717 |year= 2002 |publisher= Yale University Press |isbn= 0-300-10193-7}}</ref> |
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==Language== |
==Language== |
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Although in the 1980s scholar John Swanton theorized that the Cusabo may have spoken a form of the Muskogean language, more recent research disputes this. The language spoken by the Cusabo is virtually unknown and now [[extinct language|extinct]]. It did not appear to be related to other languages on the continent. There is evidence that a common language was spoken by at least five tribes on the coast, from the lower Savannah to the [[Wando River]] (east of Charleston), which was different from the [[Guale]] and [[Sewee]] languages. It is likely the Ashepoo, Combahee, Escamaçu, Etiwan, and Kiawah spoke this language, which has been referred to as ''Cusaboan''. Only a few words (mostly town names) of this language were recorded in the 16th century by the explorer [[René Goulaine de Laudonnière]]. (''Skorrye'' or ''Skerry'' meant "bad, enemy"). Most words lack translations. There are also approximately 100 place names and 12 personal names. The place names do not seem to be related to [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]], [[Iroquoian languages|Iroquoian]], or [[Muskogean languages]]. (In places where the Sewee and [[Santee]] lived, the place names are in the [[Catawban languages]].) |
Although in the 1980s scholar John Swanton theorized that the Cusabo may have spoken a form of the Muskogean language, more recent research disputes this. The language spoken by the Cusabo is virtually unknown and now [[extinct language|extinct]]. It did not appear to be related to other languages on the continent. There is evidence that a common language was spoken by at least five tribes on the coast, from the lower Savannah to the [[Wando River]] (east of Charleston), which was different from the [[Guale]] and [[Sewee]] languages. It is likely the Ashepoo, Combahee, Escamaçu, Etiwan, and Kiawah spoke this language, which has been referred to as ''Cusaboan''. Only a few words (mostly town names) of this language were recorded in the 16th century by the explorer [[René Goulaine de Laudonnière]]. (''Skorrye'' or ''Skerry'' meant "bad, enemy"). Most words lack translations. There are also approximately 100 place names and 12 personal names. The place names do not seem to be related to [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian]], [[Iroquoian languages|Iroquoian]], or [[Muskogean languages]]. (In places where the Sewee and [[Santee]] lived, the place names are in the [[Catawban languages]].) |
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[[John R. Swanton]] thought that the ''bou'' or ''boo'' element, presumbly the same ''bou'' in the Cusabo word ''Westo boe'' meaning "Westoe River", that occurs in many coastal place names is a related to [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]] ''-bok'' "river". Thus, he speculated that Cusabo was related to the Muskogean family. Later scholars think this might have been coincidence, especially since the older Choctaw form was ''bayok'' (small river, river forming part of a delta).<ref>Goddard, Ives. (2005). "The indigenous languages of the Southeast", in ''Anthroplogical Linguistics'', ''47'' (1), 1-60.; Martin, Jack. (2004). "Languages", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), ''Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast'' (Vol. 14, pp. 68-86). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.; Waddell, Gene. (2004). "Cusabo", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), ''Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast'' (Vol. 14, pp. 254-264). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.</ref> Blair Rudes has suggested that the <-bo> suffix and other evidence may indicate a relationship to the [[Arawakan languages]] of the Caribbean indigenous peoples.<ref>Rudes, Blair A. [http://www.as.ua.edu/lavis/abstractsOPQRS.htm#rudes "Pre-Columbian Links to the Caribbean: Evidence Connecting Cusabo to Taino"], paper presented at ''Language Variety in the South III'' conference, Tuscaloosa, AL, 16 April 2004.</ref> This suggests the |
[[John R. Swanton]] thought that the ''bou'' or ''boo'' element, presumbly the same ''bou'' in the Cusabo word ''Westo boe'' meaning "Westoe River", that occurs in many coastal place names is a related to [[Choctaw language|Choctaw]] ''-bok'' "river". Thus, he speculated that Cusabo was related to the Muskogean family. Later scholars think this might have been coincidence, especially since the older Choctaw form was ''bayok'' (small river, river forming part of a delta).<ref>Goddard, Ives. (2005). "The indigenous languages of the Southeast", in ''Anthroplogical Linguistics'', ''47'' (1), 1-60.; Martin, Jack. (2004). "Languages", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), ''Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast'' (Vol. 14, pp. 68-86). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.; Waddell, Gene. (2004). "Cusabo", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), ''Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast'' (Vol. 14, pp. 254-264). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.</ref> Blair Rudes has suggested that the <-bo> suffix and other evidence may indicate a relationship to the [[Arawakan languages]] of the Caribbean indigenous peoples.<ref>Rudes, Blair A. [http://www.as.ua.edu/lavis/abstractsOPQRS.htm#rudes "Pre-Columbian Links to the Caribbean: Evidence Connecting Cusabo to Taino"], paper presented at ''Language Variety in the South III'' conference, Tuscaloosa, AL, 16 April 2004.</ref> This suggests that parts of the Atlantic Coast may have been settled by indigenous peoples from the Caribbean islands. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The names of many subtribes of the Cusabo and Catawba may be recognised among the provinces that were described by [[Francisco de Chicora]] (he was kidnapped from the [[Pee Dee River]] area by Spanish in 1521, and learned Spanish.) In 1526, [[Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón]]'s party visited this area and recorded some names. |
The names of many subtribes of the Cusabo and Catawba may be recognised among the provinces that were described by [[Francisco de Chicora]] (he was kidnapped from the [[Pee Dee River]] area by Spanish in 1521, and learned Spanish.) In 1526, [[Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón]]'s party visited this area and recorded some names. |
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The English [[Province of Carolina|colony of South Carolina]] was founded in the midst of Cusabo land and the loose group of tribes became closely tied to the colony. In the first decade after the founding of Charles Town in 1670, there was conflict and warfare between some of the Cusabo and the new colony. The Kussoe (Coosa) subtribe was the first to come into violent conflict, Carolina declared war against them in October of 1671. The Kussoe went into hiding but remained in the area. In the early years of the colony, it was not difficult for Indians to "lay low" if they wanted. For three years colonial records make no mention of the Kussoe or the war. |
The English [[Province of Carolina|colony of South Carolina]] was founded in the midst of Cusabo land and the loose group of tribes became closely tied to the colony. In the first decade after the founding of Charles Town in 1670, there was conflict and warfare between some of the Cusabo and the new colony. The Kussoe (Coosa) subtribe was the first to come into violent conflict, Carolina declared war against them in October of 1671. The Kussoe went into hiding but remained in the area. In the early years of the colony, it was not difficult for Indians to "lay low" if they wanted. For three years colonial records make no mention of the Kussoe or the war.<ref name="gallay"/> |
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In 1674 records note an alleged Kussoe attack in which three colonists were killed. During the same year the Stono, a Cusabo subtribe, |
In 1674 records note an alleged Kussoe attack in which three colonists were killed. During the same year the Stono, a Cusabo subtribe, fought with the colony. This conflict (not to be confused with the later [[Stono Rebellion]] of [[African]] [[slaves]]) was similar to the [[Coosa War|Kussoe War]]. Colonial records are unclear on how the Kussoe-Stono War ended, except that it was resolved in South Carolina's favor. The colony forced the tribes to cede large tracts of rich land. In addition, they required the Kussoe to make a symbolic tribute payment of one [[Deerskin trade|deerskin]] per month. The Kussoe, Stono, and other Cusabo subtribes remained in the area, living in relative accord with the colonists until the [[Yamasee|Yamasee War]] of 1715.<ref name="gallay"/> |
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One of South Carolina's first powerful Indian allies was the [[Westo]] tribe, who during the 1670s conducted numerous slave raid attacks on nearly every other Indian group in the region. By the late 1670s, South Carolina had more conflict directly with the Westo. The colony demanded that the Westo cease attacking the Cusabo and other Settlement Indians. Continued Westo attacks played a role in South Carolina's decision to destroy the Westo, which they did, with Indian assistance, in 1679-1680.<ref name="gallay"/> |
One of South Carolina's first powerful Indian allies was the [[Westo]] tribe, who during the 1670s conducted numerous slave raid attacks on nearly every other Indian group in the region. By the late 1670s, South Carolina had more conflict directly with the Westo. The colony demanded that the Westo cease attacking the Cusabo and other Settlement Indians. Continued Westo attacks played a role in South Carolina's decision to destroy the Westo, which they did, with Indian assistance, in 1679-1680.<ref name="gallay"/> |
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Revision as of 19:15, 28 July 2010
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| South Carolina, United States | |
| Languages | |
| Unknown | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Arawak (theorized) |
The Cusabo (also Corsaboy) were a group of historic Native American tribes who lived along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in what is now South Carolina, approximately between present-day Charleston and the Savannah River, at the time of European encounter. English colonists often referred to them as the Settlement Indians of South Carolina. At least five of the tribes appeared to speak a common language, although one distinctly different from major language families known on the continent, such as Algonquian, Iroquoian and Muskogean. With the English settling on their land at Charleston beginning in the 17th century, the Cusabo developed a relationship of accommodation with the colony that persisted through the early 18th century. After the Yamasee War, surviving tribal members migrated to join the Creek or Catawba.
Political divisions
Subtribes of the Cusabo included the Ashepoo, Combahee, Coosa (also spelled Coosaw, Cussoe, or Kussoe), Edisto, Escamacu (also St. Helena Indians), Etiwan (also Irwan or Eutaw), Kiawah, Stono, Wando, Wappoo and Wimbee.[1] Non-Cusabo Settlement Indians listed in a 1696 report include the Sewee and Santee.[2]
Language
Although in the 1980s scholar John Swanton theorized that the Cusabo may have spoken a form of the Muskogean language, more recent research disputes this. The language spoken by the Cusabo is virtually unknown and now extinct. It did not appear to be related to other languages on the continent. There is evidence that a common language was spoken by at least five tribes on the coast, from the lower Savannah to the Wando River (east of Charleston), which was different from the Guale and Sewee languages. It is likely the Ashepoo, Combahee, Escamaçu, Etiwan, and Kiawah spoke this language, which has been referred to as Cusaboan. Only a few words (mostly town names) of this language were recorded in the 16th century by the explorer René Goulaine de Laudonnière. (Skorrye or Skerry meant "bad, enemy"). Most words lack translations. There are also approximately 100 place names and 12 personal names. The place names do not seem to be related to Algonquian, Iroquoian, or Muskogean languages. (In places where the Sewee and Santee lived, the place names are in the Catawban languages.)
John R. Swanton thought that the bou or boo element, presumbly the same bou in the Cusabo word Westo boe meaning "Westoe River", that occurs in many coastal place names is a related to Choctaw -bok "river". Thus, he speculated that Cusabo was related to the Muskogean family. Later scholars think this might have been coincidence, especially since the older Choctaw form was bayok (small river, river forming part of a delta).[3] Blair Rudes has suggested that the <-bo> suffix and other evidence may indicate a relationship to the Arawakan languages of the Caribbean indigenous peoples.[4] This suggests that parts of the Atlantic Coast may have been settled by indigenous peoples from the Caribbean islands.
History
The names of many subtribes of the Cusabo and Catawba may be recognised among the provinces that were described by Francisco de Chicora (he was kidnapped from the Pee Dee River area by Spanish in 1521, and learned Spanish.) In 1526, Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón's party visited this area and recorded some names.
The English colony of South Carolina was founded in the midst of Cusabo land and the loose group of tribes became closely tied to the colony. In the first decade after the founding of Charles Town in 1670, there was conflict and warfare between some of the Cusabo and the new colony. The Kussoe (Coosa) subtribe was the first to come into violent conflict, Carolina declared war against them in October of 1671. The Kussoe went into hiding but remained in the area. In the early years of the colony, it was not difficult for Indians to "lay low" if they wanted. For three years colonial records make no mention of the Kussoe or the war.[2]
In 1674 records note an alleged Kussoe attack in which three colonists were killed. During the same year the Stono, a Cusabo subtribe, fought with the colony. This conflict (not to be confused with the later Stono Rebellion of African slaves) was similar to the Kussoe War. Colonial records are unclear on how the Kussoe-Stono War ended, except that it was resolved in South Carolina's favor. The colony forced the tribes to cede large tracts of rich land. In addition, they required the Kussoe to make a symbolic tribute payment of one deerskin per month. The Kussoe, Stono, and other Cusabo subtribes remained in the area, living in relative accord with the colonists until the Yamasee War of 1715.[2]
One of South Carolina's first powerful Indian allies was the Westo tribe, who during the 1670s conducted numerous slave raid attacks on nearly every other Indian group in the region. By the late 1670s, South Carolina had more conflict directly with the Westo. The colony demanded that the Westo cease attacking the Cusabo and other Settlement Indians. Continued Westo attacks played a role in South Carolina's decision to destroy the Westo, which they did, with Indian assistance, in 1679-1680.[2]
By the turn of the century, the Cusabo had become fairly integrated into South Carolina's society, although they retained their tribal identities and lived in their own villages. A relationship developed between the two groups, with the Indians serving as a kind of police and security force in exchange for trade goods, weapons, and money. The colony paid the Cusabo for "vermin" such as wolves, "tigers" (cougars), and bears. They also hunted game animals and sold the meat to colonists. But their chief service was in capturing runaway slaves. South Carolina worked to encourage Indian hostility toward Africans, and African fear of Indians. A series of laws were passed that rewarded Indians for capturing runaway slaves and absolved them of responsibility if runaways were killed in the process. In contrast, Africans suffered punishment and severe penalties for attacking Indians. As late as 1750, reportedly more than 400 "ancient native" (or Settlement Indians) lived within South Carolina, with their "chief service" being "hunting Game, destroying Vermin and Beasts of Prey, and in capturing Runaway slaves."[2]
During the Tuscarora War, the Cusabo joined the first South Carolina army, under John Barnwell. They fought against the Tuscarora in North Carolina in 1711 and 1712. Part of the "Yamasee Company", the Cusabo troops were fewer than 15 in number.[2]
In 1712, South Carolina granted Palawana Island, near Saint Helena Island, to the Cusabo, where many were already living.[1]
Barnwell]] took a census in early 1715 that listed the Cusabo ("Corsaboy") as living in five villages and having a population of 95 men and 200 women and children. The "Itwan", a Cusabo subtribe, was listed separately as living in one village with a population of 80 men and 160 women and children.[5]
During the Yamasee War of 1715, the Cusabo were one of the few Indian groups that sided with South Carolina.[1] After the war, most of them migrated, joining either the Creek or Catawba.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Cusabo, South Carolina Indians
- ^ a b c d e f g Gallay, Alan (2002). The Indian Slave Trade: The Rise of the English Empire in the American South 1670-1717. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10193-7.
- ^ Goddard, Ives. (2005). "The indigenous languages of the Southeast", in Anthroplogical Linguistics, 47 (1), 1-60.; Martin, Jack. (2004). "Languages", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast (Vol. 14, pp. 68-86). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.; Waddell, Gene. (2004). "Cusabo", in R. D. Fogelson (Ed.), Handbook of North American Indians: Southeast (Vol. 14, pp. 254-264). Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
- ^ Rudes, Blair A. "Pre-Columbian Links to the Caribbean: Evidence Connecting Cusabo to Taino", paper presented at Language Variety in the South III conference, Tuscaloosa, AL, 16 April 2004.
- ^ Gallay, Alan (2002). The Indian Slave Trade: The Rise of the English Empire in the American South 1670-1717. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-10193-7.
External links
- http://sciway3.net/proctor/state/natam/cusabo.html SCGenWeb - The Cusabo