Natchitoches

Natchitoches Indians, Natchitoches tribe. The word “Natchitoches” is generally supposed to be derived from “nashitosh”, the native word for pawpaw but an early Spanish writer, Jose Antonio Pichardo, was told that it was from a native word “nacicit” signifying “a place where the soil is the color of red ochre,” and that it was applied originally to a small creek in their neighborhood running through red soil. The following are synonyms: Nachittoos, Yoakum, 1855-56, vol. 1, p. 392. Nachtichoukas, Jefferys, 1761, pt. 1, p. 164. Nacitos, Linares (1716) in Margry, 1875-86, vol. 6, p. 217. Nactythos, Iberville (1699) in Margry, … Read more