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Texas Map of  Indian Tribes

Indian horses and dogs

The First Texans

When the first Anglos, or European people, came to the area we now call Texas, other people were living here.  Those people were Native Americans.   There were many different tribes or groups of natives in Texas.  The most important ones were the Wichita, the Comanche, the Caddo, the Cherokee, and the Kiowa.

Some of these tribes were "hunting" tribes.  These tribes were nomadic. One example is the Comanche. They traveled from one place to another following the herds of buffalo.   They often lived in tipis, tents made of buffalo skin. These tipis were easy to move. When the Europeans brought horses into North America, the native people quickly made them a part of their lifestyle. Horses helped them to hunt better and travel farther and faster. Horses and even dogs helped these tribes when they moved.  These tribes made baskets from grass and other plants. The baskets were very useful. In addition, they were easy to carry, and they did not break. Some tribes became famous for their artistic baskets.

Other tribes were "farming" tribes.  The Caddo tribe is an example of a farming tribe. These native people had well-built houses. Their communities were large, and they had complex societies.   They used tools for farming and made pottery. The pottery kept seeds and food safe from rodents, like mice and rats.  Pots also held water. Pots were not only useful, but also Indian artists decorated them in interesting ways.

The Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to come to Texas.  The Native Americans greeted them and called them "Tejas," a word for "friend." That is how Texas got its name. 

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