Related Myths about Circles of Life

Myth 1

Myth 2

Chickasaw / Choctaw Migration Myth

In ancient days the ancestors of the Choctaws and Chickasaws lived in a far western country, under the rule of two brothers, named Chahta and Chikasa. In process of time, their population becoming very numerous, they found it difficult to procure subsistence in that land. Their prophets thereupon announced that fart to the east was a country of fertile soil and full of game, where they could live in ease and plenty. The entire population resolved to make a journey eastward in search of that happy land. In order more easily to procure subsistence on their route, the people marched in several divisions of a day's journey apart.

A great prophet marched at their head, bearing a pole, which, on camping at the close of each day, he planted erect in the earth, in front of the camp. Every morning the pole was always seen leaning in the direction they were to travel that day. After the lapse of many moons, they arrived one day at Nanih Waiya. The prophet planted his pole at the base of the mound. The next morning the pole was seen standing erect and stationary. This was interpreted as an omen from the Great Spirit that the long sought-for land was at last found. If so happened, the very day that the party camped at Nanih Waiya, that a party under Chickasa crossed the creek and camped on its east side. That night a great rain fell, and it rained several days. In consequence of this all the low lands were inundated, and Nanih Waiya Creek and other tributaries were rendered impassable.

After the subsidence of the waters, messengers were sent across the creek to bid Chikasa's party return, as the oracular pole had proclaimed that the long sought-for land was found and the mound was the center of the land. Chickasa's party, however, regardless of the weather, had proceeded on their journey, and the rain having washed traces of their march from off the grass, the messengers were unable to follow them up and so returned to camp. Meanwhile, the other divisions in the rear arrived at Nanih Waiya, and learned that here was the center of their new home and that their long pilgrimage was at last finished. Chikasa's party, after their separation from their brethren under Chahta, moved on to the Tombigbee, and eventually became a separate nationality. In this way the Choctaws and Chickasaws became two separate kindred nations.

(Lankford, 1987, p. 116-117)

It should be noted that various versions of this migration myth exist. In another common form of this myth, the people all travel together. When the brothers reached Nanih Waiya (which we know today as the area near Memphis, TN), they disagreed over the interpretation of whether the stick was leaning or erect. Chikasa believed the stick was leaning still, and half the people followed him on across the Mississippi River to settle in a region not far from Chahta's group. For a different telling of this myth, please read the story on the Chickasaw Nation's website.