Native American
Koasati (Coushatta) Tribe of Louisiana

by Hiram F. "Pete" Gregory

This federally-recognized tribe lives near Elton, Louisiana, in Allen Parish. The tribe has retained its Koasati language (100 percent of its members speak it), which is related to Creek, Seminole, and Alabama. Many of the Koasati speak more than one Native American language.

Today, the tribal members work and live much as their African-American, Anglo, and Cajun neighbors, but retain their own government, kin groupings, arts, and crafts. They are nationally famous for their pinestraw basketry, and also continue to make split cane baskets in their traditional forms. They also maintain active music, foodways, and storytelling traditions.

Koasati Folk Artists:

Basketry

Majorie Battise - Pinestraw Basketmaker and Koasti Foodways

Lorena Langley - Basketmaker and Pottery Maker

Carving

Bel Abbey - Blowguns, Wood Carving, and Koasati Storyteller

Household Crafts

Lorena Langley - Basketmaker and Pottery Maker

Foodways

Majorie Battise - Pinestraw Basketmaker and Koasti Foodways

Storytelling, Humor, and Oral History

Bel Abbey - Blowgun Maker, Wood Carver, and Koasati Storyteller

Bertney Langley - Storyteller

Wildlife, Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping

Bel Abbey - Blowguns, Wood Carving, and Koasati Storyteller