Mississippi Choctaw Names and Naming: A Diachronic View

Abstract

Choctaw Indians, a branch of the Muscogees, have resided in varying numbers in a major portion of East Central Mississippi since their migration into the area from the South or West at some undetermined point in the past. There are primarily two Choctaw migration myths. According to one widespread tradition, the Choctaws originated in a land far to the West. An eastward trek was begun, headed by a leader named Chata who carried a sacred pole, described (depending on the source) as a leaning pole, sacred pole, red stick, staff, golden rod, or bent staff. Every evening this miraculous pole was placed in the ground at the enc~mpment site. Each sunrise found the pole leaning toward the East as the signal for the journey to continue. After many months of wandering, Chata and his followers reached a point in Southeastern Winston County, Mississippi, where, as they placed the sacred pole in the ground and made camp for the night, a heavy rain fell. The next morning the pole was standing in an upright position, and Chata announced that the long-sought land of Nanih Waiya (sloping hill) had been found. The people began building mounds and ramparts and made Nanih Waiya the ceremonial center of the Choctaw nation. Within this legend is also couched an explanation of the appearance of a sister tribe, the Chickasaws. The two tribes were originally one, but during the eastward migration they became separated, one group being led by Chikasah and the other by Chata. These two men were brothers and became the leaders of their respective tribes. I A second migration myth was related by Peter P. Pitchlynn, a Choctaw statesman of the mid-1800's. His version includes the leaning pole and the Nanih Waiya experience, but instead of moving from the West, the