Where

• The Calusa Indians lived in Southwest Florida. Sadly, the Calusa Tribe was devastated by European diseases that were brought to their area. The widespread illness and disease caused the tribe to disassemble by the early 18th century. The surviving members of the Calusa tribe either fled to Cuba or joined the Seminole Tribe.

 

Community/Culture

• The community of the Calusa Tribe was thought to be one of the most technologically advanced for their time. The tribe came together to build canals and artificial islands.

• “Calusa” is actually and extinct Amerindian language. The only existing records of the Calusa language are a handful of places in Southwest Florida that still use Calusa names. Since their is no written history of the Calusa language, it is unknown which language family it was adapted from.

• The Calusa Indians believed that supernatural forces controlled the Earth. They believed that a person’s pupil, shadow, and reflection possessed power. During religious ceremonies priests wore elaborate carved wooden masks.

• Elaborate wood carvings were common in the Calusa Tribe.

• The Calusa Indians were not friendly people. They were known to be warlike and hostile with non-members of their tribe.

• Calusa children learned how to swim and sail at a very early age. They learned lessons from their grandparents or other tribe elders.

• The chief and priest demanded respect and obedience from all tribe members. Human sacrifice was used for members that disobeyed.

 

Housing

• Homes in the Calusa Tribe did not have any walls. Calusa homes were believed to be more of a canopy that used palm leafs for the roof and wooden poles for the sides.

• While the homes were simple, the organization of a Calusa Village was very elaborate and secure. Villages were generally built on artificial islands that even included seawalls and piers for boats. The perimeters of the villages were also planted with rows of trees to prevent from hurricanes and other weather.

• Temples were built to be higher than other structures in the village. Temples were built up on a thick layer of seashells.

 

Clothing/ Appearance

• Clothing was minimal for the tribe.

• Tops were not usually worn. Both male and females and children wore cloths on the bottom.

• Jewelry was common for both male and females. Shells were used to make necklaces.

• Animal fur was used in cooler weather

• Wooden masks were common for hunting and various other ceremonies

• Tattoos and colorful body paint (made from berries and other natural sources) were also common with the Calusa Tribe.

 

Food

• The Calusa Indians were generally known to be hunters and gathers. Since they lived on the Southwest Florida coastline, their main food source was a variety of fish. Fisherman would use nets and wooden traps. Hunters of the tribe would also hunt birds and other small game, such as deer. It is believed that the bow and arrow was the Calusa weapon of choice for hunting.

 

More Info

• The Calusa Indians primary source of transportation was the canoe. They were believed to build canoes that could hold up to fifty people.

• The Calusa Indians did not make any pottery. They used seashells for utensils, tools, weapons, jewelry, etc.

• The Calusa Indians are known as the “Shell People”

• “Calos” means fierce people and it is believed the tribes name was derived from this.