Seminole Indians Seminole Indians example essay topic

The Seminole Indians Seminole Indians are a North American Indian tribe that is located in the Southeastern United States. Most of the Seminoles are in the state of Florida. There are also some in the state of Oklahoma. The word "Seminole" is a Spanish word meaning "wild men" or "runaway". The Seminole Indians are part of the Creek tribe. The Seminoles lived in a house called a Chickee.

They built these simple shelters of thatched roofs supported by poles. The Chickee was fast and easy to build. This was important while the Seminole were on the run. A typical Chickee with a thatched roof and poles The way of life for the Seminole was hunting, fishing, gathering and farming. The Seminoles were hunters who used bows and muskets to hunt deer, turkey, and other game. They also fished and collected shellfish.

They gathered fruits, nuts and berries. They grew corn, sugar cane, guava and bananas. They also later raised horses and cattle. The clothing of the Seminole is decorated with bright colored pieces of cloth. The women wear a floor length skirt with a long sleeved blouse. Women also wear many strings of long necklace beads.

Men wear simple full shirts with a front placket. Men also wear a turban on their head. The Seminole Indians speak two languages. One language is the Mika suki language.

The main language spoken by the Seminole is the Muskogee language. Both languages are still in use today by the Seminole. The Seminole also have a written language. They use symbols that mean words. Sometimes they decorate their clothing with these symbols. Symbols used by the Seminole The Seminole Nation is divided into two religions.

The first religion is Christianity. Christianity is accepting Jesus Christ and the development of his teachings into their daily lives. The second religion is Traditional. This religion is the stomp dance, also called the Green Corn Dance. The Green Corn Dance is a special spiritual event held by the Seminole. It is a time when they thank the Creator for providing food.

Tribal disagreements are settled during this time. The dance will be held for hours, with the Seminole "stomp dancing" around the fire. The Seminole style of government is very important. Each tribe has an elected Chief and Assistant Chief. Both represent the tribe as a whole. The Chief makes all the major decisions for the tribe.

The Assistant Chief puts together the dances and religious ceremonies. Both are an important part of the Seminole government. There were three main Seminole Wars. These wars were fought so the Seminole Indians could stay on their land. They fought with the American troops led by Andrew Jackson to keep their land. They were the one group of Indians that successfully resisted removal.

But, by the end of the third war, there were few remaining Seminole Indians. Osceola was a famous Seminole leader in the second war. He battled with 250 warriors and attacked 750 soldiers. He defeated the soldiers. Osceola promised to fight until the bitter end.

He was finally captured and put in prison. He contracted a fatal illness and died while in prison. Osceola the famous Seminole leader

Bibliography

Seminole Tribe of Florida". web October 11, 2002.
Walker, Bryce. Through Indian Eyes. New York: The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., 1997 The Seminole Indians.