Quapaw Indians

The Quapaw Tribe Our state is named for this American Indian tribe! The name Quapaw (Ugakhpa or O-gah-pah) is translated as “people who live downstream.” Our state is named for this American Indian tribe! This slide satisfies the framework for lst grade students knowing the origin of the name of our state.

The Quapaw looked like this

And now, the Quapaw! The Quapaw language Like the Caddo and Osage Indians, the Quapaw speak English but many also speak their Quapaw language.

What did the Quapaw men wear? Similarly to other Native Americans, the men wore breechcloths with leather leggings and buckskin shirts. Men and women both wore moccasins and long buffalo robes in cold weather. In warm weather, the Quapaw wore less clothing, just like us!

Quapaw women Quapaw women wore long deerskin dresses and wore their hair loose or braided.

Quapaw men’s hairstyles and head coverings! Quapaw men often adorned their heads with a scalplock and wore a “roach” like Caddo and Osage men. Quapaw Leaders sometimes wore a headdress.

Tribal tattoos Native Americans had special tattoos depending on their tribe and their deeds. These tattoos had religious significance. tattoos

Transportation The Quapaw knew how to make dugout canoes from cypress trees, but they usually traveled by land. They used dogs to pull a travois (like a sled) when they traveled by land. (The Osage did this also.)

What did the Quapaw eat? The Quapaw ate basically the same things as the Caddo and Osage. The were farmers and ate corn, beans and squash. The men provided meat through the hunting of small game and organized buffalo hunts.

Tools and weapons The Quapaw used bows and arrows to hunt and to fight. They also used war clubs and spears. War clubs could take many different forms.

Quapaw homes Quapaw homes took time to build. They were made of river cane, wood and vines and coated with plaster. The roof was usually made of grass or tree bark.

Quapaw children Quapaw children did the same thing that Caddo and Osage children did. They did chores and sometimes got to play with dolls or play games. As with other Native Americans, Quapaw mothers carried a young child in a cradleboard on her back. Remind the students that parents still carry their babies on their back today in a similar fashion Image is courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, www.wisconishistory.org

Art by the Quapaw This is Quapaw artwork. Here is an example of Quapaw beadwork.

Music and the Quapaw Like the Caddo and Osage, the Quapaw enjoyed music and dancing.

Quapaw stories and legends Storytelling was very important to the Quapaw. One of their stories is about a monster or ogre.

What were the roles of men and women among these three Indian tribes? Primarily the women were farmers, child- care givers and cooks. The men were the hunters and sometimes warriors if necessary. Chiefs were usually men. Both men and women participated in artwork, music, storytelling and medicine.