Pawokti

Pawokti Indians

The Pawokti Tribe, whose name’s meaning remains unknown, likely had connections with the Tawasa or Alabama and spoke a Muskhogean dialect. They were originally located west of the Choctawhatchee River, near the Gulf of Mexico, until displaced by northern Indians, likely Creeks, around 1706-07. Although their name is absent in known French records, they were presumably near Mobile and settled on the Alabama River by 1799, having likely been there since 1717, with their history subsequently merging with that of the Alabama.

Tawasa Tribe and Pawokti Tribe

The Tawasa Tribe, first noted by Ranjel and the Fidalgo of Elvas during the De Soto expedition, was situated between Ulibahali and Talisi. They relocated southeast by 1706, facing destruction from neighboring tribes. Seeking refuge with the French in Mobile by 1705, they were granted land but eventually disappeared from records around 1715. They are believed to have migrated upstream along the Alabama River, aligning with the Alabama tribe’s fortunes. Their name persisted through census records, indicating their lasting presence in the region.