Catawba

Catawba is a term that may refer to several related uses connected with a Native American people of the Southeastern United States, the river and surrounding region in the Carolinas, and a grape variety used in American wine production.

The Catawba are an Indigenous people historically living along the Catawba River in what is now western North Carolina and eastern South Carolina. Their language is classified within the Siouan-Catawban family and is now extinct. Traditionally, the Catawba practiced agriculture, fishing, and a distinctive pottery tradition that contributed to their cultural profile.

European contact from the 16th to the 18th centuries brought treaties, infectious diseases, and land loss, leading to dispersal and assimilation pressures in subsequent centuries. In modern times, the Catawba Indian Nation is a federally recognized tribe located in South Carolina, with a government and community programs focused on culture, education, and economic development.

The Catawba River flows from the Appalachian foothills through western North Carolina into South Carolina, supporting nearby communities and industries. The name Catawba is also used for places in the region, including Catawba County, North Carolina.

The Catawba grape, a cultivar of Vitis labrusca, is known for its distinctive reddish juice and was widely grown for wine production in the United States during the 19th century. It remains a historical marker of early American viticulture and winemaking.