Choctaw
Chahta | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| Approximately 214,884 total 212,000 (Nation of Oklahoma 2023) 11,000 (Mississippi Band 2020) 284 (Jena Band 2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States (Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama) | |
| Languages | |
| American English, Choctaw | |
| Religion | |
| Protestant, Roman Catholic, formerly Indigenous religion, including Southeastern Ceremonial Complex | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chickasaw, Muscogee, Natchez, Alabama, Koasati, and Seminole |
| People | Chahta |
|---|---|
| Language | Chahta anumpa, Hand Talk |
| Country | Chahta Okla |
The Choctaw (Choctaw: Chahta Choctaw pronunciation: [tʃahtá(ʔ)]) people are one of the Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States, historically based in what is now Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Choctaw language is a Western Muskogean language. Today, Choctaw people are enrolled primarily in three federally recognized tribes: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana. The Yowani Choctaw, a historic Choctaw band, are federally recognized as a people within the Caddo Nation and are also enrolled as citizens of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Choctaw descendants are also members of other tribes.