The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is proud to induct the Caddo Indian Tribe into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Although some Caddo pottery can be dated as far back as 7,000 years ago, ancient Caddo people left only a few paths in history. General agreement seems to exist among archaeologists that the Caddo were direct descendants of nomadic hunters.
The original Caddo country includes part of four present day states: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Clusters of villages were built near, around, or on both sides of waterways by the friendly and peaceful affiliated Caddo tribes. The Red River Valley was the main center for the Caddo Nation.
The Caddo were, and still are, known for their basket weavers, pottery makers, traders, builders of homes and other places for ceremonial and memorial activities. Along with the Wichita, the Caddo are considered the modern descendants of the people who built and maintained the Spiro Mounds center in eastern Oklahoma along the Arkansas River. In addition, the Caddo maintained villages in and around the area know as Three Forks prior to the removal of the southeastern tribes. Eventually, European explorers and American immigrants laid claim to the area and Caddo began their own history of removal which ultimately placed them in general are of Fort Cobb and Binger, Oklahoma where they are today.
The Caddo also maintain many of their ancient traditions contemporarily. The annual turkey dance is still held each year where the Caddo maintain many ceremonial and social dances. The Caddo hosted some of the first intertribal pow wows in Oklahoma. In addition, as a result of intermarriage and cultural exchange with Seminoles and Creeks, the Caddo also regularly host stomp dances in Binger. Currently, two organizations, the Caddo Culture Club and the Hasinai Cultural Preservation Organization actively maintain Caddo traditional life ways.
Contemporarily led by Chairperson LaRue Parker, the Caddo Nation is roughly 5,000 strong and maintains a number of programs for its citizens, operates its own art gallery and cultural center, and has its own fire brigade.