|
The lost tribe of South Carolina
by Joey Holleman
http://www.thestate.com/living/story/851162.html
Condensed by Native Village
 South
Carolina: North Carolina has the Lost Colony ...
The desert Southwest has the Anasazi ... South Carolina has a combination of the
two. It's called Cofitachequi.
In the 1500s,
Cofitachequi was the main city of a chiefdom in the state’s interior. Hernando
de Soto discovered it in April,
1540. By the 1600s, this Native American mound city had mysteriously
disappeared.
When scholars recently gathered at USC to answer questions about
Cofitachequi, their answers often ended with a variation of “we
might never really know the answer.”
There’s little doubt a town existed in what is now central South Carolina. A
1930s government report indicated the town was near Silver
Bluff. But further examination of early Spanish accounts
indicates it was on the Wateree River, perhaps near Camden.
De Soto had more luck finding Cofitachequi. He journeyed there after hearing tales from a young native of gold, silver
and pearls at an interior community ruled by a female chief. De Soto forced the
boy to lead him to the town.
As de Soto’s men approached Cofitachequi, they were greeted by a woman — either
the leader of the chiefdom or a trusted emissary. Various accounts say the Lady
of Cofitachequi invited de Soto to the town’s temple, or de Soto forced her to
take him to the temple.
Based on descriptions,
the grand temple structure likely was built atop a mound. It was covered in mats made
of cut reeds, and the outside was adorned with shells and pearls. Inside were
amazing piles of pearls and plenty of dead bodies (likely of former chiefs), but
no gold or silver.
 The Spaniards were offered food and pearls, which they took.
Later they abducted and forced the Lady of Cofitachequi
to lead them north to the next major chiefdom. Legend has it the Lady of Cofitachequi escaped along the route
and safely returned to her town.
Years later, other explorers arrived at Cofitachequi and documented
the town's existence.
Then between the 1670 visit and the 1690s, Cofitachequi mysteriously
disappeared.
Some archaeologists believe the natives were wiped out by slave traders who forced them
into captivity in Virginia.
Others speculate Cofitachequi was wiped out by diseases brought by
the Europeans,
Some wonder if they didn't disappear at all and simply moved north
to join the Catawba tribe. Or perhaps they were Catawban all along.
At the recent USC meeting,
Catawba tribal board member Beckee Garris spoke up.
“You’re all right, and you’re all wrong,” said Garris, quoting stories passed
down through generations. “It was us, but it was also the Lakota Sioux, the
Chickasaw, the Cree and the Blackfoot. You’re going to find evidence to support
all of us.”
Native Village News
September 2009 Native Village Home Page
Background:
Robert Kaufman Fabrics:
http://www.robertkaufman.com/
NATIVE VILLAGE website was created for youth, educators,
families, and friends who wish to celebrate the rich, diverse cultures of
The Americas' First Peoples. We offer readers two monthly publications:
NATIVE VILLAGE Youth and Education News and NATIVE VILLAGE Opportunities and
Websites. Each issue shares today's happenings in Indian country.
Unless otherwise noted, articles are written in full by the credited author.
Native Village is responsible for format changes. Articles may also include
additional photos, art, and graphics which enhance the visual appeal and and
adds new dimensions to the articles. Each is free or credited by right-clicking the picture, a page posting, or appears with the original article. Our hopes are to make
the news as informative, educational, enjoyable as possible.
NATIVE VILLAGE also houses website libraries and learning circles to
enrich all lives on Turtle Island.
Please visit, and sign up for our update reminders. We are always glad to
make new friends!
www.nativevillage.org
|