Seminole Indians: An Unconquered Tribe

General History The word "Seminole" is derived from the Muskogee word "simano-li," taken originally from the Spanish "cimmarron." meaning wild or runaway. The word "Seminole" is derived from the Muskogee word "simano-li," taken originally from the Spanish "cimmarron." meaning wild or runaway.

Global Impact The Seminole Indians are people that have left us with a lot of their culture. Today most of the Seminole Indians reside in Oklahoma. They have continued to make their Basketry which is from “sweet grass” that has been made for the last 60 years. They also continue their gorgeous bead work. Seminole woman wear a remarkable twenty pounds of beads on them. There is also the Chickee style of architecture which is palmetto thatch over a log frame. This type of architecture came from the early 1800’s when the Seminole Indians needed quick and disposable homes when they were on the run from the United States troops. They also continue to make their dolls that are dressed as original Seminole Indians were. Seminole children still listen to the old storytellers tell their stories and legends of the Seminole culture and life. The Seminole Indians are people that have left us with a lot of their culture. Today most of the Seminole Indians reside in Oklahoma. They have continued to make their Basketry which is from “sweet grass” that has been made for the last 60 years. They also continue their gorgeous bead work. Seminole woman wear a remarkable twenty pounds of beads on them. There is also the Chickee style of architecture which is palmetto thatch over a log frame. This type of architecture came from the early 1800’s when the Seminole Indians needed quick and disposable homes when they were on the run from the United States troops. They also continue to make their dolls that are dressed as original Seminole Indians were. Seminole children still listen to the old storytellers tell their stories and legends of the Seminole culture and life. We can learn a lot from the Seminole Indians. They were like African American slaves, on the run and were out only for their freedom and their land. From them we can learn about their lives so the people of the future will not make the mistakes of the people of the past. We can learn a lot from the Seminole Indians. They were like African American slaves, on the run and were out only for their freedom and their land. From them we can learn about their lives so the people of the future will not make the mistakes of the people of the past.

The Rabbit and the Lion Famous story told to Seminole Indian children. Famous story told to Seminole Indian children. Explains why there are not lions on our side of the earth. Explains why there are not lions on our side of the earth. Speaks of the continent dividing by the release of a rope. Speaks of the continent dividing by the release of a rope.

The Milky Way Story regarding the life of Seminoles. Story regarding the life of Seminoles. Discusses that the “Milky Way” is where good Indian spirits go. Discusses that the “Milky Way” is where good Indian spirits go. Notes that the “Milky Way” shines best when a tribe member has died. Notes that the “Milky Way” shines best when a tribe member has died. Also called the “City in the Sky”. Also called the “City in the Sky”. Explains how a solar eclipse occurs in Seminole tradition. Explains how a solar eclipse occurs in Seminole tradition. Milky Way patchwork

Seminole Creation Story Passed down from generation to generation. Passed down from generation to generation. Explains how animals were brought to earth and named. Explains how animals were brought to earth and named. Seminole Tribe of Florida Flag

Seminoles and Christianity In 1907, the first Indian missionaries came to the Florida Seminoles living near Indiantown east of Lake Okeechobee. The missionaries were Creek Baptist Indian missionaries from Oklahoma. They spoke the Creek or Muscogee language. In 1907, the first Indian missionaries came to the Florida Seminoles living near Indiantown east of Lake Okeechobee. The missionaries were Creek Baptist Indian missionaries from Oklahoma. They spoke the Creek or Muscogee language. Black Seminoles inclined toward a syncretic form of Christianity inherited from the plantations. Certain cultural practices, such as jumping the broom to celebrate marriage, hailed from the plantations; other customs, such as the names used for blacks' towns, clearly echoed Africa. Black Seminoles inclined toward a syncretic form of Christianity inherited from the plantations. Certain cultural practices, such as jumping the broom to celebrate marriage, hailed from the plantations; other customs, such as the names used for blacks' towns, clearly echoed Africa.

Art Basketry – The Seminole tribe has been making baskets for many years. According to the baskets were usually made of wild sweet grass. -> Basketry – The Seminole tribe has been making baskets for many years. According to the baskets were usually made of wild sweet grass. -> <- Dolls – The Seminole tribe not only made houses out of palmettos, they also made dolls. These dolls accurately portray the clothing and hairstyles of members of the tribe. <- Dolls – The Seminole tribe not only made houses out of palmettos, they also made dolls. These dolls accurately portray the clothing and hairstyles of members of the tribe. Beads – The women of the Seminole Indians wore many strands of beads. These beads were usually made overseas. The were made of glass and about the size of a pea. -> Beads – The women of the Seminole Indians wore many strands of beads. These beads were usually made overseas. The were made of glass and about the size of a pea. ->

Architecture The Seminole Indians needed a place to live that could be built very fast and simple. This was due to the fact that the Seminole Indians were usually being chased by US troops from place to place. The chickee was developed as a primary dwelling for the Seminole tribe. According to the word chickee is the Seminole word for “house”. The chickee was used as both a dwelling and for utility purposes. It consisted of a cypress log frame with palmetto leaves thatched over it. The Seminole Indians needed a place to live that could be built very fast and simple. This was due to the fact that the Seminole Indians were usually being chased by US troops from place to place. The chickee was developed as a primary dwelling for the Seminole tribe. According to the word chickee is the Seminole word for “house”. The chickee was used as both a dwelling and for utility purposes. It consisted of a cypress log frame with palmetto leaves thatched over it.