Billy Bowlegs III - A SeminoleBilly Bowlegs III(r) and Josie Billie(l) Courtesy Florida Folklore Archive
The Seminoles were a mixture of Native Americans people running from extreme suppression imposed by white men during the development of our country. Originally they broke from the Creek nation and settled in Florida. Runaways from different southern tribes like the migrating Miccosukee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Indians helped build the Seminoles of Florida.
Who was BillyBilly Bowlegs III, born in 1862, was a grandson of the Indian Chief Osceola, hero of the second Seminole war. Billy belonged to his mother's matriarchal clan called the snake clan; Seminole Indians belonged to clans such as the Otter, and Snake. Billy was a Seminole of royalty due to his blood relationship to Chief Osceola. During a Green corn dance he was christened "Rabbit" of the snake clan, and at the age of 15 named Billy Bowlegs, after his father.
The Green corn danceThe Indian name for this ceremony is Busk, from the Muskogean word baskita, meaning "to fast." This was a celebration in late summer during the ripening of the "Green corn." In most instances it was the custom to clean up the area, the homes, and public buildings. There was a period of fasting followed by a feast in the public square or ceremony area. All fires in homes were extinguished and relit by a new fire kindled by the high priest. Everyone was blessed to start the new year in an atmosphere of purity.Rabbit of the Snake clanBilly was a very tall man standing over six feet tall. He was a man of integrity, never using foul language, never telling lies, and his word was as good as gold. Having a self taught vocabulary of over 200 English words, he knew how to use the words effectively. Always commanding respect, he attended important white man's activities that would gain honor for his clan and the Seminoles.The HunterBilly loved to hunt and was hired as a guide by sportsmen to hunt for alligator, deer, and bear. There were none better than Billy Bowlegs III to catch a big alligator, skin it, and have a fine alligator feast. He could imitate the clucking and grunting noises of alligators, call turkeys with perfect "turkey talk," and was an avid bear and deer hunter. Many of his hunts provided him with an income that paid for his needs by selling his catches to river boat people. Also, he loved to walk. To prove a point he never blinked even an eyelash after walking over a hundred miles to prove a point.
How beautiful were the simple prayers of Choctaws when they prayed before hunting, "Deer, I am sorry, but we are hungry". White men spoke to the Native American, "Why do you not till the ground and live like us"?
Indians asked, "Why do you not hunt and live as we do"? |
