Wichita and Affiliated Tribes

The Wichita Tribe were most populous in the Southwestern United States. The Wichita formed a loose confederation on the Southern Plains, including such tribes as Panis Piques, Taovayas, Guichitas, Tawakonis, Kichais, and Wacos, and they lived in fixed villages notable for domed-shaped and grass-covered dwellings.

They ranged as far south as San Antonio, Texas to as far north as Great Bend, Kansas. A semi-sedentary people, they occupied northern Texas in the early 1700's and were involved in trade with other Southern Plains Indians on both sides of the Red River and as far south as Waco. The Wichita lived in huts made of forked cedar poles cover by dry grasses, but would abandon them in the winter to go hunt American Bison.

The Wichita were known to tattoo their faces and bodies with solid and dotted lines and circles. They called themselves "raccoon-eyed people" (Wichita Kitikiti'sh) because of the tattooed marks around their eyes.

The Wichita's population at the time of first contact with the Europeans was estimated to be 200,000.

By 1719 the Wichita had largely migrated southward to Oklahoma. During the Civil War they moved back to Louisiana and established a village at the site of present-day Wichita, Kansas. Their numbers dwindled rapidly upon contact with people of European descent. In 1790, it was estimated that there were about 3,200 total Wichita. By 1868, the population is recorded as being 572 total Wichita. By the time of the census of 1937, there were only 100 Wichita officially left.

The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognizes the tribe, and circa 2003 the officially recognized name is, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Wichita, Keechi, Waco & Tawakonie). Wichita tribal offices are located in Anadarko, Oklahoma. The Affiliated tribes include the Caddo and Delaware Indians. The Wichita tribal lands are centered today around Gracemont, Oklahoma.