Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Cultural Services

To most Choctaws, the objects made by our ancestors have a profound significance.  Not only do these early pieces connect us with family members that have come before, but they physically represent integral parts of our still living traditional lifeway, traditional knowledge, homeland, artistry, and identity. These early objects inspire today's generation of Choctaw traditional artists, who work in a variety of media striving to maintain, and in some instances, revitalize many of these ancient traditional artforms (Traditional Arts Classes).

This section of the website features early Choctaw traditional  art pieces from museums and private collections located around the country.  As you view the following pages, be aware that a moccasin you see is not just any moccasin; a bow is not simply a bow.  The styles presented here are Choctaw-specific.  They were made from materials Indigenous to Choctaw lands, and transformed through Choctaw traditional knowledge into objects that are simultaneously Choctaw art and survival gear, both a Choctaw heritage and a future legacy.