We have seen the Chickasaw Cultural Center sign from I-35 for years. However we had never found the time to visit. Until now.
On the grounds outside the museum were wonderful sculptures of great warriors.
Notably the signs were written in the Chickasaw language!
A depiction of their Removal story was in the first room. Indeed it was very moving.
Of course there were the amazing artifacts.
This exhibit was called the Spirit Forest. The spirit animals would tell you their story as you walked through it.
This artifact made with thistles had no label so it was a mystery. The other thing on the right was a small quiver of darts.
Sara was an artist working on collar necklaces used in ceremonies and other special occasions. The work was incredibly detailed. Furthermore the beads were so tiny! Thanks Sara for allowing me to share this picture.
Outside on the grounds were a depiction of the summer and winter homes. The circle was where the stomp dance is performed. See the link below for info about the stomp dance. The view was from the sky walk. As we looked a small herd of deer raced across the grounds. The forested area behind the grounds are the Chickasaw NRA.
The quiver, the pipes, and flutes were the last exhibit we saw at the museum.
No one else was in the museum that afternoon but us. And Annelle had given us a personal tour. It was really great of her. We learned so much from her and the others about the rich history of the Chickasaw people! Thank you all for sharing your story!
So if you get a chance… hika at the Chickasqw Cultural Center!
Learn new words and the rich history of the Chickasaw people at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. Indeed it will definitely be worth your while!
We didn’t get there until about 3:30ish. Was not near enough time to see everything before they closed. Give yourselves plenty of time. We plan to go back again to walk the grounds and relook at the museum. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Opens at 10.
I’m going to have to take time to visit, because that museum looks wonderful. The article on the hazelnut research was interesting. We already knew that indigenous peoples altered the landscape for their own purposes; e g., by setting fire to the prairie. This is one more example.
What a wonderful place to visit – really like the Spirit Forest and stomp dance with turtle shell shakers. And a new word – HIKA!!!!!
Loved the new words!
Can’t wait to visit now more than ever. Thanks
You would love it!!
Thank you for this post!
Hope you get to visit 😀
I’m looking forward to visiting there next week! Thank you for the preview!
We didn’t get there until about 3:30ish. Was not near enough time to see everything before they closed. Give yourselves plenty of time. We plan to go back again to walk the grounds and relook at the museum. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Opens at 10.
I’m going to have to take time to visit, because that museum looks wonderful. The article on the hazelnut research was interesting. We already knew that indigenous peoples altered the landscape for their own purposes; e g., by setting fire to the prairie. This is one more example.
The history given from the European version simply doesn’t fit the story of these amazing people’s technologies and rich culture.