|
|
 |
|
Koasati Pine Straw Tray Basket
The Koasati immigrated to Louisiana in the late 18th century to escape pressures from increasing pressures from American settlers. Their original homelands were in Alabama near the Tennessee River. Also known as the Coushatta, they were part of the southern division of the Muscogean linguistic group and the old Creek Confederacy. The first Koasati in Louisiana settled on Red River north of Natchitoches, but later relocated to the Calcasieu River near Kinder. In the 1880s they moved into Allen Parish, where they remain today. The have a reservation trust of almost 700 acres, and a very successful tribally owned casino and hotel complex. They were awarded federal recognition in 1973.
The tribe has retained great proficiency in its Koasati language, and many of the Koasati speak more than one Native American language. The Koasati are known for their crafts traditions, including split cane basketry and pine straw basketry. Besides the traditional, functional forms, Koasati weavers make a large number of effigy baskets in the shape of turtles, crawfish, birds, and frogs. They also maintain active beadwork, music, foodways, and storytelling traditions. The tribal website is maintained at http://www.coushattatribela.org/
South Louisiana
Native American
Pinestraw
Photo: Thomas A. Wintz, Jr.
For this artifact, there are 2 related artifacts.
Click a thumbnail image or a name of a related artifact to open a new window with more information about that related artifact.
Click an artist's name to open a new window with more information about that artist.
|
