From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The Chickasaw are a tribe of Native Americans who live in the southeastern United States. Communities existed in present day South Carolina, North Carolina, and Mississippi. The are kin to the Choctaws. The eastern branch of the tribe in the Carolinas was squeezed between their bitter enemy, the Creek tribe, along the Savannah River, and the European settlers along the coast. The majority of the tribe was deported to Indian Territory (now headquartered in Ada, Oklahoma) in the 1830s, along with the Five Civilized Tribes. The forced move, which has become well known through pageants, is called the Trail of Tears.
Remnants of the South Carolina Chickasaws have reorganized tribal government, and are in process of gaining recognition from the state, having their tribal headquarters at Indiantown, South Carolina.
Ababinili ("sits above") was the personification of terrestrial fire, distinct from the sun's fire. The Chickasaw also venerated Sint Holo, a horned serpent who appeared to young males of great intellect and wisdom.
