Why "Tejas"? and Submission Deadline

Texas, often referred to as "Tejas," derives its alternate name from its Native American heritage, particularly the Caddo people who inhabited the region long before European colonization. "Tejas" is a Spanish adaptation of the Caddo word "taysha," which means "friend" or "ally." The Caddo Confederacy, a group of several Caddoan-speaking tribes, lived in East Texas, establishing a complex society with agriculture, trade networks, and a distinct cultural identity.

When Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in the 16th century, they adopted the term "Tejas" to describe the land and its indigenous inhabitants.

 

1. Folsom, J. (1997). Native Americans of Texas. Texas Historical Commission.
2. Chipman, D. E. (1992). Spanish Texas, 1519-1821. University of Texas Press.
   
   

Submission Deadline for "Climates and Chronologies": April 15, 2024