Description
The Nasoni were divided into two bands. The Upper Nasoni, who lived along the Red River in the southwestern corner of Arkansas. They were affiliated with the Kadohadacho branch of the Caddo Confederacy. The Lower Nasoni, who lived between the Sabine and Angelina Rivers in present-day Rusk County, Texas. They were part of the branch of the Caddo Confederacy. Hernando De Soto encountered the Lower Nasoni in 1541. During the 17th through 19th centuries, European diseases, particularly smallpox, wreaked havoc upon Nasoni and other Caddo groups, forcing them to consolidate for survival.
Language
There are several mutually intelligible dialects of Caddo. The most commonly used dialects are Hasinai and Hainai.
Culture
Many southeastern peoples engaged in mound building to create sacred or acknowledged ritual sites. The main agricultural crops of the region were the Three Sisters : winter squash, maize, and climbing beans. Social traits included having a matrilineal kinship system, exogamous marriage between clans, and organizing into settled villages and towns. They observe strict taboos against marriage within a clan. In the past, they frequently allowed polygamy to chiefs and other men who could support multiple wives. Southeastern peoples also traditionally shared similar religious beliefs, based on animism. They used fish poison, and practiced purification ceremonies among their religious rituals, as well as the Green Corn Ceremony Medicine people are important spiritual healers.