All about the ancient tribes
The Calusa are considered to be the first “shell collectors.” Shells were discarded into huge heaps. Unlike other Indian tribes, the Calusa did not make many pottery items. They used the shells for tools, utensils, jewelry, and ornaments for their shrines. Shell spears were made for fishing and hunting.
Unlike other tribes, the Calusa did not make any items from pottery. Shells were used to make items like jewelry, utensils, and tools. They discared shells into huge piles, called mounds, which can still be found in many parts of Florida today.
The Calusa (/kəˈluːsə/ kə-LOO-sə) were a Native American people of Florida’s southwest coast. Calusa society developed from that of archaic peoples of the Everglades region. At the time of European contact in the 16th and 17th centuries, the historic Calusa were the people of the Caloosahatchee culture.
The Calusas didn’t wear much clothing. Just like today, the weather in southwestern Florida was always warm. Calusa men wore only a breechcloth, and Calusa women wore short skirts made of palm leaves. Shirts were not necessary in Calusa culture, and people usually went barefoot.
Little is known about Calusa religion. They believed in three superior beings, one controlled the weather, the others ruled the welfare of the tribe and warfare. Each human had three souls, present in his shadow, his reflection in water and in the pupil of his eye.
The Europeans brought diseases with them that the Timucua easily caught and died from, since their bodies did not have natural resistance to the diseases. The Spanish taught the Indians how to live like Spanish did.
Definitions of Caloosahatchee. noun. a river in southern Florida that flows westerly to the Gulf of Mexico; forms the western end of the Cross-Florida Waterway.
Phonetic spelling of Calusa. Caa-loo-saa. Meanings for Calusa. They were the native American people from Southwest Florida and it means “fierce people”. Examples of in a sentence. Translations of Calusa.
Calusa Indian Language (Caloosa) Although the Calusa tribe was once extremely powerful (defeating the Spanish on numerous occasions) and technologically advanced (building canals and artificial islands), they were devastated by European diseases and the tribe essentially disbanded in the early 18th century.
In their early period there is evidence of sacrifice of captives and of cannibalism. The Calusa also journeyed to Cuba and other Caribbean islands, trading in fish, skins, and amber. During the 16th century they defended their shores from a succession of Spanish explorers.
The Calusa Indians were originally called the “Calos” which means “Fierce People.” They were descendants of Paleo- Indians who inhabited Southwest Florida approximately 12,000 years ago.
The Calusa tribe in Florida planted rows of trees near its villages to protect against hurricanes. Explanation: The Calusas were also distinct among other Native Americans because they were headed by a hereditary king.
The most important foods for the Apalachee were the crops they grew in their fields. They grew corn, beans, and squash (called the “three sisters”). They also harvested wild grapes, acorns, hickory nuts, and blackberries. They fished in the rivers and gathered shellfish and turtles.
Like the other tribes in South Florida, the Tequesta were hunters and gatherers. They relied mainly on fish, shellfish, nuts, and berries for food.
The Apalachee Indians lived in rivercane huts thatched with palmetto or bark. Each family had its own small house. The Apalachees also built larger council houses in the same style. Some Apalachee villages also had a special ball-playing field with high benches for spectators.