Waxhaw Tribe
Encyclopedia
The Waxhaw Tribe was a tribe native to what are now the counties of Lancaster, in South Carolina; and Union
and Mecklenburg
in North Carolina, around the area of Charlotte
. The Waxhaw were related to other nearby Southeastern Siouian tribes, such as the Catawba
and Sugeree.
Some scholars suggest the Waxhaw may have been a tribe of the Catawba rather than a separate people, given the similarity in what is known of the language and customs. A distinctive custom which they shared was flattening of the forehead of individuals. Flattening of the head gave the Waxhaw a distinctive look, with wide eyes and sloping foreheads. They started the process at birth by binding the infant to a flat board. The wider eyes were said to give the Waxhaw a hunting advantage.
The typical Waxhaw dwellings were similar to those of other peoples of the region. They were covered in bark. Ceremonial buildings, however, were usually thatched with reeds
and bullgrass. The people held ceremonial dances, tribal meetings and other important rites in these council houses.
During the Yamasee War
of 1715, the Waxhaw were almost annihilated by European
colonists and rival tribes. An epidemic of smallpox in 1741 made it necessary for the Waxhaws to disband, a large number having died from the disease. Historians believe the survivors left the area to join other tribes, most likely their neighbors, the culturally and linguistically similar Catawba. The tribe as a separate entity ceased. This left the abandoned territory open for European settlers.
Union County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,677 people, 43,390 households, and 34,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile . There were 45,695 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile...
and Mecklenburg
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
in North Carolina, around the area of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The Waxhaw were related to other nearby Southeastern Siouian tribes, such as the Catawba
Catawba (tribe)
The Catawba are a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans, known as the Catawba Indian Nation. They live in the Southeast United States, along the border between North and South Carolina near the city of Rock Hill...
and Sugeree.
Some scholars suggest the Waxhaw may have been a tribe of the Catawba rather than a separate people, given the similarity in what is known of the language and customs. A distinctive custom which they shared was flattening of the forehead of individuals. Flattening of the head gave the Waxhaw a distinctive look, with wide eyes and sloping foreheads. They started the process at birth by binding the infant to a flat board. The wider eyes were said to give the Waxhaw a hunting advantage.
The typical Waxhaw dwellings were similar to those of other peoples of the region. They were covered in bark. Ceremonial buildings, however, were usually thatched with reeds
Reed (plant)
Reed is a generic polyphyletic botanical term used to describe numerous tall, grass-like plants of wet places, which are the namesake vegetation of reed beds...
and bullgrass. The people held ceremonial dances, tribal meetings and other important rites in these council houses.
During the Yamasee War
Yamasee War
The Yamasee War was a conflict between British settlers of colonial South Carolina and various Native American Indian tribes, including the Yamasee, Muscogee, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Catawba, Apalachee, Apalachicola, Yuchi, Savannah River Shawnee, Congaree, Waxhaw, Pee Dee, Cape Fear, Cheraw, and...
of 1715, the Waxhaw were almost annihilated by European
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
colonists and rival tribes. An epidemic of smallpox in 1741 made it necessary for the Waxhaws to disband, a large number having died from the disease. Historians believe the survivors left the area to join other tribes, most likely their neighbors, the culturally and linguistically similar Catawba. The tribe as a separate entity ceased. This left the abandoned territory open for European settlers.