Preserving a Culture

The traditional pottery of the Caddo people stands as a significant cultural artifact, reflecting their intricate craftsmanship and deep-rooted traditions. This art form, which spans over a thousand years, offers a glimpse into the social, spiritual, and economic dimensions of Caddo life, especially for the Texas Caddo. The revival of this pottery-making tradition, led by modern artisans like Jeri Redcorn and Chase Kahwinhut Earles, has become an important cultural movement, seeking to reconnect contemporary Caddo with their ancestral roots.

Historically, Caddo pottery evolved from simple utilitarian vessels used for cooking and storage to elaborately engraved pieces with symbolic and ceremonial roles. Initially, the pottery’s design was straightforward and suited for practical purposes. However, as Caddo society became more complex, pottery styles became more sophisticated, reflecting the changing societal structures. Decorative elements like geometric engravings, cross-hatching, and swirling patterns began to appear, possibly symbolizing elements of Caddo cosmology. These designs likely represented the natural world, spiritual beliefs, and social order of the Caddo people. The high quality and intricate beauty of Caddo pottery made it highly prized in trade, indicating their vast trade networks with other Native American tribes across the southeastern United States.

The revival of Caddo pottery is a response to the historical loss of cultural practices following the 1859 relocation of the Caddo people from their native southeastern homeland to Oklahoma. This relocation led to a decline in traditional pottery practices, as ceramics were not part of the essential cultural elements carried to their new environment. The pottery tradition, once integral to Caddo life and rituals, faded as it became undervalued in the face of external pressures and shifting cultural priorities. However, the Caddo people’s emphasis on community, oral history, and ceremonial traditions helped preserve other aspects of their culture, laying a foundation for later revitalization efforts in pottery-making.

Of those central to this revitalization movement are individuals like Jeri Redcorn and Chase Kahwinhut Earles, who have dedicated themselves to researching and reintroducing Caddo pottery traditions. Raised on the Caddo National Reservation in Oklahoma, Redcorn felt a deep connection to her heritage, especially after visiting ancestral lands in Texas. Her journey led her to study ancient pottery forms, clay preparation methods, and traditional designs. In her work, she honors the Caddo culture by using traditional names for designs and motifs, departing from archaeological terminology. For instance, she replaced Euro-American labels like “Avery” or “Friendship Engraved” with Caddo terms like “Sah-cooh” (sun) and “Tay-shas” (friend). Her pottery reflects Caddo cultural symbols, such as tribal divisions, animals, chiefs, family names, and natural elements.

Similarly, Chase Kahwinhut Earles has been instrumental in the contemporary teaching and preservation of Caddo pottery. Through his classes, Earles educates people about sourcing and preparing clay, forming pottery, and employing traditional decorative techniques. He emphasizes the importance of reviving the Caddo art form authentically, ensuring that it is preserved and passed on through a Caddo lens rather than through archaeological interpretations alone. Earles’ teachings encompass both everyday pottery forms and those created for specific ceremonial purposes, offering a comprehensive approach to the craft that aligns with the practices of Caddo ancestors.

The revival of Caddo pottery represents more than just a resurgence of artistic practices; it is a movement aimed at cultural reclamation and empowerment. Many Caddo people, especially younger generations, have had limited access to knowledge about their rich pottery traditions due to centuries of cultural disruption and assimilation policies. This loss of traditional knowledge is compounded by the fact that Caddo pottery, though preserved in museums across the United States and Europe, is often categorized within broader Mississippian or Southeastern ceramic styles, which erases the distinct Caddo contributions. By reclaiming their unique pottery techniques and styles, the Caddo people assert their cultural identity and strengthen their connection to their ancestral heritage.

The Caddo pottery revitalization is crucial in bridging the gap between historical artifacts and living traditions. The efforts of Redcorn, Earles, and others underscore the importance of cultural knowledge transmission. Their work allows the Caddo people to connect with the past, understand their heritage in a tangible way, and ensure the continuity of these practices for future generations. Through pottery, the Caddo community is reviving not just an art form, but also a worldview that emphasizes community, environmental respect, and spiritual connection—a testament to their resilience in the face of historical adversity.

The Texas Historical Foundation helped sponsor a four-part workshop on traditional Caddo pottery at the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in 2024.  This workshop, led by Chase Kahwinhut, with 20 predominantly Caddo students coming from all over the country was filmed to provide educational video access for a wider community and continue the resurgence of this art form.