Last Updated: 10 years In earlier times, all Chickasaws belonged to a clan of his or her mother; this is known as a matrilineal system. One of the main functions of the clan was to provide kinship with clan members in other villages. Traditionally, a person would not be allowed to marry someone within his or her own clan.
The clan was the most important group to which a person belonged. This membership was more important than belonging to anything else and every group had its own clan animal.
Clans
- Iksa’ Shawi’ (Raccoon Clan)
- Leaders were chosen from this clan
- Liked to dance
- Loved to eat fish and all kinds of fruit
- Very cunning and could not be deceived
- Had great faith in their leaders and elders
- Iksa’ Foshi’ (Bird Clan)
- Early risers
- Iksa’ Acho’ Chaba’ (Alligator Clan)
- Warriors
- Ishtaaonchololi’ Issi’ (Deer Clan)
- Hunters
- Iksa’ Kowishto’ Losa’ (Panther Clan)
- Hunters
- Lived in hills or mountains
- Lived close to water, but not too close
- Owned plenty of property and horses
- When holding a great feast, invited all their neighbors
- Iksa’ Kowimilhlha’ (Wildcat Clan)
- Hunters
- Seldom went out in the daytime
- Roamed about at night in search of food
- Swift of foot
- Very keen eyes
- Iksa’ Nani’ (Fish Clan)
- Hunters
- Iksa’ Chola’ (Fox Clan)
- Lived in the woods
- Prepared for a hunt for many days
- Iksa’ Koni (Skunk Clan)
- Lived in dugouts or underground
- Seldom saw the sunrise
- Iksa’ Fani’ (Squirrel Clan)
- Hunters
- Iksa’ Nashoba’ (Wolf Clan)
- Warriors