Origin of the Name

The name "Seminole" is derived from the Spanish word cimarrón, meaning "wild" or "runaway." It referred to Native Americans and escaped African slaves who fled into the wilderness of Florida during the 18th century. Over time, the term evolved into "Seminole."

Range

The Seminole originally lived in northern Florida but were later pushed into the Everglades and southern Florida during the Seminole Wars. Today, Seminole communities are located in Florida and Oklahoma.

Diet

The Seminole diet featured corn, beans, and squash—the “Three Sisters.” They also hunted deer, wild turkey, and small game, fished in rivers and wetlands, and, in the Everglades, ate alligator, turtles, and coontie roots.

Home Type

Early Seminole homes were log cabins or wattle-and-daub huts. In the Everglades, they created chickee huts—open-sided shelters with thatched palmetto roofs, raised on stilts to avoid flooding and pests.

Chickee Hut - Image taken in 1916.

Culture

Seminole culture is famous for its colorful patchwork clothing, which became a tradition in the 19th century. They were organized into clans traced through the mother’s line (matrilineal). Their spiritual beliefs included powerful spirits and ceremonies like the Green Corn Dance, a festival of renewal and cleansing.

Seminole legends include tales of the Panther and the Snake, representing the balance of life and good versus evil. They maintained a strong identity as warriors and survivors, never signing a formal peace treaty with the United States.

The Legend of the Panther and the Snake

One of the most famous Seminole legends tells of a great battle between two powerful spirits: the Panther and the Snake. The Panther ruled the forests and high lands, while the Snake controlled the waters and swamps. Both wanted to claim all the land for themselves.

The two fought fiercely, shaking the earth and stirring up the waters. Their struggle created great floods and formed the wetlands of the Everglades. The Panther, strong and fierce, tried to defeat the Snake with strength, while the Snake, cunning and venomous, used stealth and poison.

After a long and violent battle, neither could destroy the other. At last, they made peace. The Panther would rule the dry ground, and the Snake would rule the waters. This agreement brought balance to the land and shaped the world as the Seminole knew it.

Meaning of the Legend

• Panther: Symbolizes strength, courage, and leadership.
• Snake: Represents adaptability, danger, and hidden power.
• Lesson: The story teaches that balance and respect between opposing forces are essential for harmony in nature.

The Black Seminoles

The Black Seminoles were communities of African Americans, many of whom were escaped slaves, who found refuge among the Seminole people in Florida during the 18th and 19th centuries. They formed strong alliances with the tribe, adopting Seminole customs and intermarrying with them. In return for protection, Black Seminoles often acted as interpreters, farmers, and warriors. Together, they resisted U.S. forces during the Seminole Wars. Even after removal to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), Black Seminoles maintained their distinct identity and later migrated to Texas and Mexico to escape re-enslavement. Their legacy reflects courage, resilience, and the blending of African and Native traditions.

Warfare

The Seminole fought three wars against the U.S. government to resist removal from Florida. Using guerrilla warfare and knowledge of the Everglades, they inflicted heavy costs on U.S. troops. The Second Seminole War (1835–1842) was the most expensive Indian war in U.S. history.

Legendary Seminole Chief Osceola

History Timeline

• 1700s: Seminole culture forms as Creek Indians and escaped African slaves migrate into Florida.
• 1817–1818: First Seminole War; U.S. invades Florida.
• 1830: Indian Removal Act pressures Seminole to leave Florida.
• 1835–1842: Second Seminole War; led by Osceola, the Seminole resist removal.
• 1855–1858: Third Seminole War; most Seminoles moved to Oklahoma, some remain in Florida.
• 1900s: Seminole establish reservations and later gaming businesses in Florida and Oklahoma.

Glossary

• Chickee: A raised, open-sided hut with a thatched roof made of palmetto leaves.
• Green Corn Dance: A major Seminole festival celebrating purification and renewal.
• Matrilineal: A system where family lineage is traced through the mother.
• Cimarrón: Spanish term meaning “wild” or “runaway,” the root of the name Seminole.

Four Interesting Facts

1. The Seminole never signed a peace treaty with the United States, unlike most tribes.
2. They developed the famous patchwork clothing pattern, now a cultural symbol.
3. Osceola, a key Seminole leader, became a symbol of resistance worldwide.
4. Some Seminoles sheltered escaped enslaved Africans, forming a unique Black Seminole community.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the Seminole were never fully conquered by the U.S. government?
2. How did the Everglades shape Seminole culture and survival strategies?
3. What role did African fugitives play in Seminole society?
4. Why is the Green Corn Dance important to Seminole cultural identity?