Notes on the Caddo / by Elsie Clews Parsons.

  • Elsie Clews Parsons
Date:
[1941]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on the Caddo / by Elsie Clews Parsons. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    called Ka ntsi, cheats.11 To the north of Caddo County, across the Canadian River, are the Cheyenne (shane’tika) and Arapaho (sianabu). Study of the distribution of the persons cited in the genealogical tables has shown a tendency among the Caddo to live together in family settle¬ ments or groups which are composed rather more of matrilineal than of patrilineal relatives. There is a fairly marked tendency for men to join their wife’s group, although many instances occur (see Appendix) where a man brings his wife to his parents’ group, particularly, as might be expected, when his wife is of another tribe. GOVERNMENT Between the northern and southern divisions of the tribe the prime dis¬ tinction is in the chieftaincy. Each division has its own chief (kadhi').12 In missions to Washington both chiefs are expected to participate. One divi¬ sion would not be properly represented by the chief of the other division. Since 1896 Enoch Hoag (Gen. I, 7) has been chief at Sugar Creek. The Fort Cobb chieftaincy is for the moment unfilled, Francis Longhat, the chief, having lately died. Harry Age (chuitsi)13 (Gen. Ill, 17), the interpreter, is being talked of for chief. (In 1922 he became chief.) To Francis Longhat,14 the deceased chief, Harry Age is unrelated in blood; but Francis was his stepfather. The office of chief, as far as the evi¬ dence goes, is non-hereditary, strictly speaking at least. Naturally enough a kinsman or family connection might be chosen for apprentice, but the cri¬ terion for selection to office is successful assistantship or apprenticeship. When Francis himself was talked of as chief, some one had objected, saying, “He does not know how to be a chief.” But Stephen Martin (Gen. II, 17) for one, had disagreed, referring to the fact that as a boy Francis had been sent to attend council meetings. “He is like a bag you have filled up, tied, and hung to a tree at hand when you want it. Clarence, the oldest son of Enoch Hoag, in time he is under forty (1927)—will be considered seri¬ ously for chief. “He always goes to council meetings.” Enoch Hoag had been apprenticed to White-bread (R. DaccathaGaiyu\ bread, white) who in his turn had been apprenticed to Once-in-white-house (R. haGaiyu kutuiseya r h&G&iyu , white, kifiuiscyd’, he used to live in) or Caddo Jake (Gen. I, 22) who died a very old man (“130 years old”) in 11 Mooney, 1103. 12 See Harrington, 149; Joutel, 353, 379. White Moon translates cry-baby, coward, sissy, more-like-a-woman. Pardon would not translate chountsi, as he called Harry Age. The term is obviously opprobrious. 14 Brother of Gen. I, 23 and of Gen. II, 24.
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