Column: Exploring cannibalism among the Karankawa Tribe

Thursday, June 2, 2011  

"The Karankawa Native Americans, extinct since about 1860, were a nomadic tribal group in bands of 30 to 100 that fished and hunted the Texas Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi to Galveston, and inland up to 100 miles. A local group in the Liberty area found notoriety in 1818 when involved in a dinner with two French hunters sent out from the Champ D Asile settlement on the banks of the Trinity River.

An estimated 60 Karankawan Indians are said to have been having the two French hunters literally for dinner, in an event of cannibalism reportedly not uncommon to the alleged flesh-eating tribe. Most likely a ceremonial drink with psychoactive effects from caffeine was served using the leaves from the Yaupon Holly; this being a Karankawan favorite. After an intense skirmish between the Indians and French soldiers, the remains of the unfortunate entrees were reclaimed and returned to Champ D Asile for burial.

The French being the menu was a final blow that ended the famous Champ D Asile settlement; together with an imminent assault by a large Spanish troop under the command of Don Juan D Castaneda that shortly thereafter in October 1818 put the then abandoned settlement to torch.

But did the Karankawa people get a bum rap for dining on the French, or did they have reason to seek revenge? Were they truly cannibals often dining on finger food and rump roast, or was there a story to be told about the stories that were told?"

Get the Story:
Frankly Speaking by Frank Jordan: Karankawa and French Food (The Liberty County Vindicator 6/1)