l6 BtlREAtr OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 48 



contact with Europeans for about two centuries, and under the di- 

 rect influence of Christian missionaries for several generations. 



The Tribe 



By the people of the tribe, or, more correctly, that portion of the 

 tribe now under consideration, they themselves are called the Chata' 

 ogla or the Chata' people or family. According to them, the first 

 word can not be translated as it is merely a proper name. 



The great tribe is divided into many distinct subdivisions, each of 

 wliich has a special name. The oldest male member of each sub- 

 tribe, or subdivision, of the great tribe, was the recognized leader or 

 chief of that division or family. These leaders were the ones to be 

 consulted whenever advice was required, and, as will be seen later, 

 they played an important part in the marriage ceremony of the tribe. 

 The subdivisions of the tribe were numerous and no two members of 

 the same division {ogla) were allowed to marry. 



The divisions known to have lived in this region are: 



Kasha' pa ogla, or the Half people. — They lived at Bayou La- 

 comb and the remnant of the tribe now dwelling there belong to 

 this division. The name of the village was Butchu'wa. 



Shatje ogla, or the Crayfish people. — The home of this family was 

 near Chinchuba, some twelve miles west of Bayou Lacomb. Tosh- 

 kachito (pi. 20) is said to be the last member of the family. 



Inhulata ogla, or the Prairie people. — This was considered the 

 largest and probably the most important division of the Choctaw 

 living in the region. Their principal settlement, Hatcha, was located 

 on Pearl river. 



Other divisions, known by the people at Bayou Lacomb to have 

 lived in the country a short distance northward, are: 



Tula'%ksa' ogla, or Fall-in-bunches people. 



CJivfaiJcsa' ogla, or Bunches-of -flies people. 



STiunkwane ogla, or Ant people. 



Ha'^na'le ogla, or Six people. 



Unfortunately the people at Bayou Lacomb know very little 

 respecting the tribal organization and customs. 



Brief List of Words Used by the Choctaw at Bayou Lacomb 



