| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Extinct as tribe | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Cumberland Island and the adjacent coastal areas of the U.S. state ofGeorgia | |
| Languages | |
| Timucua language,Mocama dialect | |
| Religion | |
| Native | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Timucua |
 |
| Mound Builders |
|---|
| Polities |
| Archaeology |
| Religion |
Tacatacuru was aTimucuachiefdom located onCumberland Island in what is now the U.S. state ofGeorgia in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was one of two chiefdoms of the Timucua subgroup known as theMocama, who spoke the Mocama dialect ofTimucuan and lived in the coastal areas of southeastern Georgia and northern Florida.
The Tacatacuru were among the first native tribes to meet French explorerJean Ribault's expedition in 1562. They appear to have interacted amicably with the French when they people establishedFort Caroline in present-dayJacksonville, Florida, in 1564. The Tacatacuru later became deeply involved in theSpanish mission system, and one of the first missions inSpanish Florida,San Pedro de Mocama, was established in their territory. Like other tribes in the area, they were greatly affected by Eurasian diseases and war with other peoples through the 17th century. By 1675, they had abandoned Cumberland Island and relocated south, where they merged with other Timucua peoples and lost their independent identity.
The Tacatacuru occupiedCumberland Island and the adjacent coastal areas of mainlandGeorgia. Their main village was located toward the southern end of the island. An archaeological site extending from theDungeness mansion ruins northward along the shore has been identified as the probable location of Tacatacuru.[1][2] Spanish records indicate there were at least seven other villages on the island and eleven more on the mainland. OtherMocama-speakingTimucua lived in the area, including theSaturiwa, who lived to the south around the mouth of theSt. Johns River in what is nowJacksonville, Florida. To the east of the Tacatacuru on the mainland were speakers of theYufera and Itafi dialects of Timucua; named tribes include theIbi and theCascangue orIcafui.[3] TheGuale people lived to the north.[4]
Cumberland Island and the surrounding area were inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples who preceded the Tacatacuru; these early settlers often lived there in seasonal fishing camps. As did other Mocama peoples, the Tacatacuru participated in the Savannah archaeological culture.
The Tacatacuru met the FrenchHuguenot expedition ofJean Ribault in 1562. The account by Ribault's lieutenantRené Goulaine de Laudonnière records a meeting with the natives of the "Seine River" (now known as theSt. Marys River) and their chief, though they do not mention any names from this time. The Tacatacuru met the French again when they returned under Laudonnière to establish the colony ofFort Caroline in 1564. The Chief Tacatacuru mentioned in French records from this time may be the earlier leader who met the initial expedition, or his successor.[5]
The Tacatacuru seem to have maintained friendly relations with the French, as well as with the Saturiwa, in whose territory Fort Caroline was established. Spanish forces fromSt. Augustine destroyed the French outpost in 1565, after which the Tacatacuru, like the Saturiwa, were antagonistic toward them. Both groups were among those Native Americans who aidedDominique de Gourgue in his raid on the Spanish in 1567.[5]
After the Tacatacuru made peace with the Spanish, the latter established a fort and a mission,San Pedro de Mocama, on Cumberland Island near the main Tacatacuru town.[5] This was one of the earliest of themissions in Spanish Florida, as well as one of the most prominent; the church eventually built there was as large as that in St. Augustine.[5] For a time, the garrison marked the northern extent of Spanish power, providing defense against theGuale. In the late 16th century the Tacatacuru chief, Don Juan, was a major supporter of cooperation with the Spanish, and joined them in pushing back the Guale in the revolt of 1597. Juan died three years later, and was succeeded by his niece, Doña Ana.[5][6] Tacatacuru prominence continued in the early 17th century; in 1601 the Spanish noted that the Cascangue and the once-powerful Saturiwa were then vassals of the Tacatacuru.[7]
San Pedro de Mocama was on the 1655 mission list, and the Tacatacuru do not appear to have taken part in the Timucua rebellion the following year. However, increased pressure from other tribes took its toll on the Tacatacuru, and all survivors abandoned Cumberland Island by 1675, relocating closer to St. Augustine. The island was subsequently occupied by theYamasee. The remaining Tacatacuru were absorbed into other tribes in Florida and lost their independent identity.[5]