Five groups of Karankawas lived along the Gulf Coastal region of Texas, near our area. These Indians lived a very primitive life as hunters and gatherers instead of farmers. They spent their time roaming the coastal waters, travelling from place to place looking for the best fishing spot in order to feed their families.

The Karankawas moved around the waters in dugout canoes. These were made from tree trunks cut in half and hollowed out by scraping or burning. These canoes were usually narrow and long with just enough room for a man and his famity, along with their few possessions.

The men of the Karankawa tribe were tall powerfully built people. They wore pieces of cane pushed through holes made in their lower lip and on each side of their chest. They had a strong smell to their bodies as they were often covered with alligator grease to keep away pesky insects. Their bodies were also decorated with shells found along the coast where they lived, but they wore little clothing except in the coldest part of winter.

The women of the tribe often wore skirts of deerskin or Spanish moss, and often covered their shoulders with shawls made of the moss. One mark of beauty practiced by these coastal tribes was the practice of head flattening. A thin padded board was tied to a baby's head for a year, causing the head to become flattened.

The homes of the Karankawas had to be easy to take apart and transport. The women using willow poles pushed into the ground in a square or rounded shape built them. A framework of horizontal poles was tied on and skins or woven mats were thrown over the frame. These were quickly built but provided the shelter needed by the tribe.

Karankawas ate mainly thing they could find in the waters of the Gulf, such as oysters, clams, turtles and underwater plants. Occasionally they would hunt deer, bear or alligator. The women gathered nuts, berries and seeds to add to their diet. Prairie hens, cranes and quail were considered delicacies by all.

Ceremonial dances and festivals were a part of the lives of these Indians, just like the other tribes around the state. Their dances were wild and noisy and involved much leaping and jumping around the bonfires. Only the men danced, however, while the women sang away from the main fire. These dances sometimes lasted three days and nights, until everyone was tired from all of the activity.

It is believed that no Karankawas were remaining in Texas by the 185O's. Many of them died from the diseases that were brought to the New World by the Buropeans. other tribes or the new sefflers into Texas killed many more. Some moved to Mexico and became part of other groups there.