Choctaw Village: Celebrating tradition and culture

This year, the Choctaw Village once again opens its doors to display the traditional, historical, and cultural lifeways of the Choctaw people.

The Choctaw Village, which opened in 2001, has been a focal point for cultural preservation and education.

The event offers an immersive experience where visitors can witness and participate in various cultural demonstrations, hands-on activities and educational displays.

Cultural Demonstrators at the Choctaw Village will showcase their expertise in traditional arts, allowing visitors to observe and engage in these cultural practices.

Highlights include sampling authentic Choctaw dishes such as ‘banaha’ and ‘tanchi labona’ at the traditional Choctaw Food Booth.

Guests can also experience pounding corn using a traditional Choctaw mortar and pestle, known as a ‘kittih’.

Hands-on cultural arts will be available, including pottery, flintknapping, basketry, beadwork, rabbit stick throw and blowgun demonstrations.

Choctaw artisans will demonstrate and share their knowledge of primitive weapons crafting, dressmaking, stickball stick making and ball making.

Throughout the day, participants are invited to join in various ongoing activities, including Choctaw dancing, stickball skills, hymn singing and language activities.

Children will find plenty to do with engaging activities tailored just for them.

They can participate in the fun and interactive Rabbit Stick Throw activity and the robust and competitive Corn Game.

Choctaw storytellers will entertain with stories filled with wit, wisdom and oral traditions. Nearby, children and visitors can help ‘mud’ the exterior of a traditional Choctaw hut, contributing to its construction.

Sunday afternoon promises to be a highlight.

Choctaw dancing will begin at 4:00 p.m. on the Capitol Lawn, followed by stickball exhibition games for all ages at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and participate, ensuring a memorable experience for all.

Come celebrate the Choctaw culture, participate in unique activities, and take home memories of a vibrant heritage.