Waxhaw Tribe

The Waxhaw Tribe (also spelt Waxhau) was a tribe native to what are now the counties of Lancaster, in South Carolina, and Union and Mecklenburg in North Carolina, around the area of Charlotte. The Waxhaw were related to other nearby Siouian tribes, such as the Catawba and Sugeree, and it has been suggested that the Waxhaw may have been a band of the Catawba, given similarity in what is known of the language and other customs, such as flattening of the head. Flattening of the head gave the Waxhaw a distinctive look, with wide eyes and sloping foreheads, a process started by binding to a flat board at birth. The wider eyes were said to give the Waxhaw a better hunting advantage.

The typical Waxhaw dwellings were similar to those of other peoples of the region, and were covered in bark. Ceremonial buildings, however, were usually neatly thatched in reeds and bullgrass. In these council houses, ceremonial dances, tribal meetings and other important rites were held.

The Waxhaw were almost annihilated during the Yamasee War of 1715. It is believed the survivors fled and joined other tribes, most likely their neighbours, the culturally and linguistically similar Catawba.

References

* Mooney, "Siouan Tribes of the East", 1894
* http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext99/nvycr10.txt