Nadaco
Encyclopedia
The Nadaco, also commonly known as the Anadarko, are a Native American
tribe from eastern Texas
. Their name, Nadá-kuh, means "bumblebee place."
branch of the Caddo Confederacy.
Spanish explorers encountered the tribe in 1542 in east Texas. Around 1700, the tribe joined the Hasinai in the late 17th century but kept their distinct identity and culture. In 1716, Spanish monks founded the San Jose Mission to serve the Nadaco and the Nasoni
tribes. By 1787, they lived in villages along the Sabine River
in the northern part of Panola County, Texas
.
By Texas Independence in 1836, the tribe had moved to the forks of the Trinity River
. During the winter of 1838-39 the Texans forced the Nadaco from their ancestral homelands into Indian Territory
. Disliking the harsh conditions in Indian Territory, the tribe returned to Texas in 1843, settling along the Brazos River
. After Texas became a state, the United States federal government signed a treaty with the Nadaco and neighboring tribes; however, their lands were soon overrun by European-American settlers.
In 1859, the Nadaco were once again removed
to Indian Territory to lands near the Wichita Agency. Their principal leader Iesh was killed in 1862, and many of the tribe fled to Kansas to avoid Civil War
hostilities. They returned in 1867. In 1862 the Wichita
-Caddo Reservation was established, and the Nadaco joined the greater Caddo Nation.
In 1950, an estimated 449 Nadacos lived in Caddo County, Oklahoma
.
Today, Nadaco people are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, headquartered in Binger, Oklahoma
.
is named for the tribe. A joke that might have some historical veracity is when the town was founded, residents suggested that it would be appropriate to name the town after "a Nadarko." Another possibly is that the additional "A" was simply a clerical error.
Anadarko Creek, an upper branch of the Angelina River
in Texas is also named for the tribe.
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe from eastern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Their name, Nadá-kuh, means "bumblebee place."
History
The Nadaco were part of the HasinaiHasinai
The Hasinai Confederacy was a large confederation of Caddo-speaking Native Americans located between the Sabine and Trinity rivers in eastern Texas...
branch of the Caddo Confederacy.
Spanish explorers encountered the tribe in 1542 in east Texas. Around 1700, the tribe joined the Hasinai in the late 17th century but kept their distinct identity and culture. In 1716, Spanish monks founded the San Jose Mission to serve the Nadaco and the Nasoni
Nasoni
The Nasoni are a Native American tribe from eastern Texas and southwestern Arkansas.-History:The Nasoni were divided into two bands. The Upper Nasoni, who lived along the Red River in the southwestern corner of Arkansas. They were affiliated with the Kadohadacho branch of the Caddo Confederacy...
tribes. By 1787, they lived in villages along the Sabine River
Sabine River (Texas-Louisiana)
The Sabine River is a river, long, in the U.S. states of Texas and Louisiana. In its lower course, it forms part of the boundary between the two states and empties into Sabine Lake, an estuary of the Gulf of Mexico. The river formed part of the United States-Mexican international boundary during...
in the northern part of Panola County, Texas
Panola County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,756 people, 8,821 households, and 6,395 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile . There were 10,524 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
.
By Texas Independence in 1836, the tribe had moved to the forks of the Trinity River
Trinity River (Texas)
The Trinity River is a long river that flows entirely within the U.S. state of Texas. It rises in extreme north Texas, a few miles south of the Red River. The headwaters are separated by the high bluffs on the south side of the Red River....
. During the winter of 1838-39 the Texans forced the Nadaco from their ancestral homelands into Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
. Disliking the harsh conditions in Indian Territory, the tribe returned to Texas in 1843, settling along the Brazos River
Brazos River
The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers , is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river in the United States at from its source at the head of Blackwater Draw, Curry County, New Mexico to its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico with a drainage...
. After Texas became a state, the United States federal government signed a treaty with the Nadaco and neighboring tribes; however, their lands were soon overrun by European-American settlers.
In 1859, the Nadaco were once again removed
Indian Removal
Indian removal was a nineteenth century policy of the government of the United States to relocate Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to lands west of the river...
to Indian Territory to lands near the Wichita Agency. Their principal leader Iesh was killed in 1862, and many of the tribe fled to Kansas to avoid Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
hostilities. They returned in 1867. In 1862 the Wichita
Wichita (tribe)
The Wichita people are indigenous inhabitants of North America, who traditionally spoke the Wichita language, a Caddoan language. They have lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas...
-Caddo Reservation was established, and the Nadaco joined the greater Caddo Nation.
In 1950, an estimated 449 Nadacos lived in Caddo County, Oklahoma
Caddo County, Oklahoma
Caddo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 30,150. Its county seat is Anadarko. It is named after the Caddo tribe who were settled here on the 1870s...
.
Today, Nadaco people are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, headquartered in Binger, Oklahoma
Binger, Oklahoma
Binger is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 708 at the 2000 census.Binger is the headquarters of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma, who were settled here in the 1870s....
.
Synonymy
Beside Nadaco and Anadarko, the tribe is also known as the Nadacoco, Nadan, Nadargoe, Nondacao, Nondaco, and Nadarko.Namesakes
Anadarko, OklahomaAnadarko, Oklahoma
Anadarko is a city in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,645 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Caddo County.-Early History:Anadarko got its name when its post office was established in 1873...
is named for the tribe. A joke that might have some historical veracity is when the town was founded, residents suggested that it would be appropriate to name the town after "a Nadarko." Another possibly is that the additional "A" was simply a clerical error.
Anadarko Creek, an upper branch of the Angelina River
Angelina River
The Angelina River is formed by the junction of Barnhardt and Shawnee creeks three miles northwest of Laneville in southwest central Rusk County, Texas ....
in Texas is also named for the tribe.
External links
- Anadarko tribe, Oklahoma Historical Society
- The Nadaco, from Access Genealogy