Nabedache
Encyclopedia
The Nabedache were a Native American
tribe from eastern Texas. Their name, Nabáydácu, means "blackberry place" in the Caddo language
. An alternate theory says their original name was Wawadishe from the Caddo word, witish, meaning "salt."
branch of the Caddo Confederacy. Their traditional territory was located between the Neches
and Trinity River
s.
In 1686, French explorer, Henri Joutel, encountered the tribe living at the headwaters of the Neches River, near present day Houston County, Texas
. In 1690 Spanish Francisco monks accompanying explorer Domingo Ramón founded a mission, San Francisco de los Tejas Mission in Nabedache territory. European contract brought devastating diseases, and the Nabedache suffered an epidemic in 1690-91. In the ensuing century, their principal village, was 12-15 miles west of the Neches River. The village was called San Pedro for the nearby Arroyo San Pedro.
Spanish chroniclers observed that women, as well as men, could be priests and hold high ranks. In the late 18th century, polyandry
was also observed.
The tribe moved further up the Neches between 1779 and 1784.
Ultimately, they were forced to relocate to the Wichita Reservation
in Indian Territory
in the 19th century. Today they are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
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. Their name, Nabáydácu, means "blackberry place" in the Caddo language
Caddo language
Caddo is the only surviving Southern Caddoan language of the Caddo language family. It is spoken by the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma. Today, only 25 elderly speakers are estimated to remain, none of whom are monolingual Caddo speakers, making Caddo a critically endangered language...
. An alternate theory says their original name was Wawadishe from the Caddo word, witish, meaning "salt."
History
The Nabedache was the western branch 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. Their traditional territory was located between the Neches
Neches River
The Neches River flows for through east Texas to its mouth on Sabine Lake near the Rainbow Bridge. Two major reservoirs, Lake Palestine and B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir are located on the Neches. Several cities are located along the Neches River Basin, including Evadale, Tyler, Lufkin, Silsbee,...
and 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....
s.
In 1686, French explorer, Henri Joutel, encountered the tribe living at the headwaters of the Neches River, near present day Houston County, Texas
Houston County, Texas
Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 23,185. Its county seat is Crockett. Houston County is named for Samuel Houston, a president of the Republic of Texas and Governor of Texas...
. In 1690 Spanish Francisco monks accompanying explorer Domingo Ramón founded a mission, San Francisco de los Tejas Mission in Nabedache territory. European contract brought devastating diseases, and the Nabedache suffered an epidemic in 1690-91. In the ensuing century, their principal village, was 12-15 miles west of the Neches River. The village was called San Pedro for the nearby Arroyo San Pedro.
Spanish chroniclers observed that women, as well as men, could be priests and hold high ranks. In the late 18th century, polyandry
Polyandry
Polyandry refers to a form of marriage in which a woman has two or more husbands at the same time. The form of polyandry in which a woman is married to two or more brothers is known as "fraternal polyandry", and it is believed by many anthropologists to be the most frequently encountered...
was also observed.
The tribe moved further up the Neches between 1779 and 1784.
Ultimately, they were forced to relocate to the Wichita Reservation
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...
in 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...
in the 19th century. Today they are enrolled in the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma.
Synonymy
The tribe is also known as the Nabadacho, Nabaydacho, Nabordakhes, Inecis, Ynecis, Navedacho, and Naoudiche.External links
- Nabedache Indian Tribe. Access Genealogy.'
- Nabedache Indians, from Handbook of Texas Online