Mekoche

Mekoche
Mekoche
Catecahassa, Mekoche head civil chief
Regions with significant populations
Historically Ohio; today Oklahoma
Languages
Shawnee, English
Related ethnic groups
Chalahgawtha, Hathawekela, Kispoko, Pekowi, Shawnee

Mekoche (also spelled Mequachake; Shawnee: mecoce) is one of the five divisions of the Shawnee, a Native American people. The other four divisions are the Chalahgawtha, Hathawekela, Kispoko, and Pekowi. All five division names appear in varied spellings in historical records. Together, these divisions form the loose confederacy that is the Shawnee tribe.

Traditionally, Shawnee healers came from the Mekoche patrilineal division.[1]

History

Ohio settlements

Pigeon Town, occupied by the Mekoche division, was located on the Mad River, 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio.[2] Macochee Creek is named for this division; it is a small stream that meets the Mad River at West Liberty, having arisen near modern Pickrelltown, Ohio.[3]

Modern status

Today, the Shawnee are represented by three federally recognized tribes: the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Shawnee Tribe.

Notable Mekoche

See also

  • Shawnee
  • Shawnee traditional narratives

References

  1. ^ Kleber, John E. (May 18, 1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 815. ISBN 978-0-8131-2883-2. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  2. ^ "Shawnee Indian Tribe History". Access Genealogy. July 9, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2013.
  3. ^ Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer (7th ed.). Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2004. p. 56. ISBN 0-89933-281-1.