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Kullihoma Reservation
It was established after the passage of the Indian Welfare Act of 1936. That year, more than 146 acres were put into trust by the United States government for the Chickasaw Nation. By 1975, almost 628 acres were in trust.

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*Early morning all is sleeping:)

Kullihoma Grounds consists of 1500-acres owned by the Chickasaw Nation. The land was purchased in 1936, and the Chickasaw built traditional tribal dwellings on the site, and used it as a stomp ground. Traditional Chickasaw households consisted of summer and winter houses and a corn crib. A circular council house also exists on site. Prior to 1936, the Green Corn Ceremony was practiced on this land.

Kullihoma means “Red Springs” in the Chickasaw language. It received the name due to spring-fed water at Kullihoma turning reddish prior to storms because of atmospheric anomalies. However, the springs were choked off because of silt and sawdust deposits from a lumber mill years ago, according to Postoak’s narrative. Awe, :(

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Stomp dancing is an important aspect of Chickasaw culture. Historically, stomp dancing has its roots in the Green Corn Ceremony, springtime celebrating harvest, redemption and forgiveness. Men sing stomp dance songs in a call-and-answer format, following a male song leader, who often sets the dance rhythm using a handheld turtle shell rattle.

Women enhance the rhythms with shakers made from box turtle shells worn on their legs. The use of turtle shells is intended to show respect and gratitude to the animal world for providing so many good things for the people.

Chickasaws believe that the fire at the center of the dance circle is the embodiment of Aba' Binni'li' (the Creator) on earth and that the smoke carries our prayers to the Creator. Stomp dancers move counterclockwise around the fire, so their hearts are closest to the fire, and the smoke lifts their prayers to Aba' Binni'li'.

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