Description
The Guacata are first mentioned by Fontaneda (1854), who in one place speaks of them as on Lake Mayaimi (Okeechobee), but this probably means only that they ranged across to the lake from the eastern seacoast. Shortly after his conquest of Florida Menendez left 200 men in the Ais country, but the Indians of that tribe soon rose against them and they moved to the neighborhood of the Guacata, where they were so well treated that they called the place Santa Lucia. Next year, however, these Indians rose against them and although they were at first defeated the Spaniards were so hard pressed that they abandoned the place in 1568. They were still an independent body in the time of Dickenson, in 1699, but not long afterward they evidently united with other east coast bands, and they were probably part of those who emigrated to Cuba in 1763.
Language
Guacata and Tequesta people is related to the Tunica language.
Culture
The economy of the Southeast was mostly agricultural. The leading crop was corn, followed by beans and squash. Southeast peoples grew several varieties of corn. Some varieties were baked or roasted on the cob, and some were boiled into succotash—a dish of stewed corn and beans. Other varieties were pounded into hominy or cornmeal. Some corn, beans, and squash were dried and stored for later use. Southeast peoples also raised sunflowers, which were processed for their oil, and tobacco. Wild plant foods, including greens, berries, nuts, acorns, and sap, were acquired through gathering. Wild game was abundant in most of the Southeast. Native peoples hunted deer, elk, black bears, beavers, squirrels, rabbits, otters, raccoons, and turkeys. In what is now the state of Florida, the diet included turtles and alligators.