Waccamaw
The Waccamaw are a Siouan-speaking Indigenous group originally located in South Carolina, with a historical population that engaged in horticulture, cultivating crops such as maize, beans, and squash. Their early history includes interactions with European settlers, marked by conflict, including a brief war in 1720 and later violence involving other tribes in the 18th century. Despite attempts to gain federal recognition and support for education in the early 20th century, the Waccamaw faced several challenges in these efforts. Today, two groups identify as descendants of the Waccamaw: the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, recognized by North Carolina in 1971, and the Waccamaw Indian People, recognized by South Carolina in 2005. Both groups own land and engage in cultural practices such as quilting and hold an annual powwow festival. While they participate in various industries, including construction and forestry, they remain without federal recognition. The Waccamaw's rich heritage and resilience continue to shape their identity into the present day.
Waccamaw
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Southeast
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Siouan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: South Carolina
- POPULATION SIZE: 1,823 (2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates)
The Waccamaw were originally a relatively small horticultural Indigenous group living in permanent villages. They relied mostly on maize, beans, squash, and other cultivated plants, as well as various roots, tubers, seeds, nuts, and fruit gathered by women. Little is known of their early encounters with European Americans, except that the Cheraw probably attempted to incite them to attack the British in 1715. A trading post was established in their territory in 1716, and in 1720, they staged a brief war with the colonists in which many of their people were killed. In 1775, while living in White settlements, they and some Pedee were killed by warring Natchez and Cherokee.
In 1910, the Waccamaw formed their earliest known government body to obtain funding for Indigenous schools and attain federal recognition, although they had little success with either effort. In the twenty-first century, there are two Indigenous groups claiming descent from the Waccamaw people: the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, recognized by North Carolina in 1971, and the Waccamaw Indian People, which became the first Indigenous American nation officially recognized by South Carolina in 2005. While these Indigenous groups have state recognition, they both lack federal recognition as Indigenous nations. Neither lives on a reserve, though both own land on which buildings such as offices and community centers are located. Most Waccamaw people are employed in the construction, forestry, and apparel industries; a few are full-time farmers. Continuing into the mid-2020s, the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe holds a powwow festival every October and has a vibrant quilting tradition.
Bibliography
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"History." Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, waccamaw-siouan.org/history. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Jacobs, Priscilla Freeman. From Princess to Chief: Life with the Waccamaw Siouan Indians of North Carolina. University of Alabama Press, 2013.
"Learn More About Us." Waccamaw Indian People, www.waccamaw.org/copy-of-learn. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Lerch, Patricia Barker. Waccamaw Legacy: Contemporary Indians Fight for Survival. University of Alabama Press, 2004.
Martin, Jonathan. “Waccamaw.” North Carolina History Project, northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/waccamaw-indians. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
“Waccamaw Indian People.” Anthropocene Alliance, anthropocenealliance.org/waccamaw-indian-people. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
“Waccamaw Siouan SDTSA.” Census Reporter, censusreporter.org/profiles/25000US9970-waccamaw-siouan-sdtsa. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
"Welcome." Waccamaw Indian People: Past, Present, Future, waccamawpastpresentfuture.com/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.