GEORGIA’S BEGINNINGS:
CREEK LIFE IN THE
PAST
GEORGIA
The Creek lived in many parts
of Georgia but they liked to build
their homes close to rivers.
That’s how they got their name!
Rivers made a great place for
towns and villages. The Creek
could fish from the rivers and
travel on them in canoes.
TOOLS
The Creek used many tools in the
past to make their lives easier. They
used bows and arrows for hunting.
When fishing, they would use
spears, nets, and hooks made of
animal bone.
CLOTHING
The Creek did not like to waste
things. They used some animals for
more than just food. Deer skin made
great clothing. The Creek used the
skin for shoes and clothes. Women
used the
skin to make wraparound skirts and
the men wore breechcloths and
leggings. Breechcloths were long
animal skins worn to cover
someone’s front and behind. Men did
not wear shirts unless it was cold out.
Their shoes were called moccasins
(mock-uh-sins). Men also painted
their faces for battle.
HOMES
Creek homes look nothing like the
kind of house people live in today. The
Creek used things found in nature to
build them. They used mud and twigs
to make the walls. The roof was made
with tree bark and plants. The Creek
would also leave a hole in their roof!
This way smoke from their cooking fire
had a way of getting out.
WHO DID WHAT? Men
and women had different jobs in a
Creek home. The Creek women did
the farming. They would grow food
like corn, squash, beans, pumpkins,
and more. Plus, they did most of the
childcare and cooking. The Creek
men would bring food by fishing and
hunting. They would also sometimes
go to war to protect their families.
Both men and women could tell
stories, do artwork, and play music.
©LESSONS IN LITERACY