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Yuchi Indian Tribe
Clans
The political organization of
the tribe, which has become more pronounced in type since its
incorporation into the Creek Nation, is based on the town. This is made up
of some 18 or 20 totemic, maternal, exogamic clans, the members of which
trace their descent from the totem animal and have certain restrictions in
regard to it. At an annual ceremony the clans perform propitiatory and
reverential dances in honor of their totems.
The Yuchi clans are as follows, the names in
parentheses being the simplified forms of those recorded by Gatschet:
Saggē' (Sagi),
Bear; Dałá (Tala),
Wolf; WeryA°' (Weyon),
Deer; TkbCii' (Tapa),
Tortoise; Wetc£A" (Wetchon),
Panther; Cadrane (Shatane),
Wildcat; Catient (Shathiane),
Fox; Godd (Iluda),
Wind; Cid (Still),
Fish; Cagii°'(Shakian),
Beaver; Cdland (Shuhlanan),
Otter; Djd'tie" (Tchatchian),
Raccoon; YusA"'(Yussoih),
Skunk; WdtsagowA°' (Wetsagua),
Opossum; Cadjwane,
Rabbit; Cdva,
Squirrel; Wdtc£a (Witchah),
Turkey; C1i'na (Sha),
Eagle; YA°ti',
Buzzard; Ca, Snake.
Gatschet gives also the
Senan (Bird),
Tapatwa (Alligator),
Tapi (Salt), To Sweet-potato),
Yonh (Hickory-nut), and
Yontuh (Acorn),
but it is doubtful if these clans existed among the Yuchi. There is
disagreement among native informants regarding the existence of the Eagle,
Buzzard, and Snake clans above given.
The whole male population of the town, and of the tribe
as well, is again subdivided into two other social classes, which have
certain town offices and functions in the ceremonies inherent in them.
These classes are chief and warrior, and inheritance in them is reckoned
through the father without regard to clanship of the other sort. Property
is handed down partly through father to son and partly from father to
sister's children, inheritance being thus an individual and not solely a
group matter. The men of different classes are distinguished by facial
painting.
The town officials are a town chief and priest, chosen
from the chief class of certain leading clans; a master of ceremonies and
representative from the warrior class of certain clans, with 3 secondary
chiefs and 3 secondary warriors from certain clans. There are, besides,
other officials chosen from certain clans and classes, who have charge of
different stages of the ceremonies. Unanimous acclamation constitutes
appointment to an office. The town itself, represented by its chiefs and
lesser officers or warriors, regulates the ceremonies and matters of an
internal nature or those dealing with outsiders or other towns.
The books presented are for their
historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Handbook
of American Indians, 1906
Index of Tribes or Nations
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