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Calusa Indian Language (Caloosa)

Calusa is an extinct Amerindian language of Florida. No records of the language remain other than a few place names in Florida, so it is unknown which language family Calusa might have belonged to. Although the Calusa tribe was once extremely powerful (defeating the Spanish on numerous occasions) and technologically advanced (building canals and artificial islands), they were devastated by European diseases and the tribe essentially disbanded in the early 18th century. Most of the survivors joined the Seminole tribe or went to Cuba, and their language was never written down before it vanished.

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Calusa Language Links
Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

The Calusa: Linguistic and Cultural Origins and Relationships:
    This book by linguist Julian Granberry presents and analyzes the few surviving records
    of the Calusa language.

Calusa Culture and History Links

Florida Indian Maps:
    Tribal map showing the original territory of the Calusa Indians and their neighbors.
Virtual Museum of New France: Southeastern Indians:
    Historical maps and articles about the Calusa, Timucua, Muskogee, and other southeast tribes.
Calusa Artifacts: Remnants of a Vanished Culture:
    Article on the archaeology of southern Florida, with pictures of Calusa woodcarvings.
The Calusa: The Shell Indians:
    Good overview of Calusa history and culture.
Calusa Indian History:
    History and genealogy of the Calusa Indians.
The Tekesta and Calusa Tribes:
    Ethnographic information about the Calusa Indians, including their religious and political structures.
Calusas in Cuba:
    Article about Calusa refugees to Cuba in the early 1700's.
Calusa:
    Timeline and links about the Calusa tribe.

Books For Sale On The Calusas

The Calusa And Their Legacy:
    Illustrated history of the Calusa tribe.
The Evolution of the Calusa:
    Sociology book on the ancient Calusa culture.
Missions to the Calusa:
    History of the Spanish conquest of the Calusas, with translations of many historical documents.
The Last Calusa:
    Children's book about Florida children in the 1800's learning about the Calusa people.
Native American Books:
    Evolving list of books about Calusas and American Indians in general.

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Links, References, and Additional Information

  Wikipedia: Calusa * Calusa Tribe:
  Encyclopedia articles about the Calusas.
  Calusa Indians * Calusa Tribe:
  Calusa links.
  Los Calusas * Lengua Calusa * Los Calusa:
  Information about the Calusa tribe in Spanish.
  Calusa Tribe:
  Calusa Indian books.



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