Chahta

Chahta is the autonym of the Choctaw people, a Native American nation originally located in the southeastern United States. In the Choctaw language, Chahta denotes the people themselves, and Chahta Anumpa refers to the Choctaw language. The English exonym “Choctaw” is a European rendering of the tribe’s name.

Historically, Chahta territory spanned parts of present-day eastern Mississippi, western Alabama, and parts of Louisiana. The Chahta were one of the Five Civilized Tribes recognized by European colonists. In the 1830s, most Chahta were forcibly relocated to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) during the Trail of Tears; smaller bands remained in Mississippi and reorganized with other communities.

Today, Chahta communities are represented by federally recognized governments including the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. These groups maintain sovereign government structures, cultural programs, and efforts to preserve language and traditional practices.

Chahta Anumpa, the Choctaw language, is part of the Muskogean language family. Modern revitalization efforts include education and media initiatives in traditional and contemporary forms; the language is taught and used in communities, schools, and cultural programs, and it uses a Latin-based alphabet in modern writing.