KARANKAWA, kii'ritn-kli'wa. An extinct tribe of Indians formerly occupying the vicinity of Matagorda Pay on the coast of Texas. From the few remains of their language they appear either to have constituted a distinct stock or to have had affinity with the Carrizo and other tribes of Coahniltecan stock adjoining them on the south. They are first definitely mentioned by the French explorer Jootel, in 1687. Shortly afterwards, in consequence of the seizure of some ol their canoes by the French, they attacked Fort Saint. Louis, and killed or carried off every per son of the small garrison. At this time they are said to have been cannibals. The greater portion remained uncompromisingly hostile to all white men, as well as to most of the sur rounding tribes, with the result that their num ber rapidly dwindled, In IS05 they were still estimated at five hundred men. In ISIS three hundred Karankawa warriors attacked and fought a pitched battle with two hundred of T.afitte's pirates. and were only repelled with the aid of artillery. Before the close of the Texan War of Independence they had been near ly wiped out by the American settlers.
About the year 11343 the small remnant, some fifty in number. removed to Mexico, whence they were expelled a few years later on account of continued depredations, making their camp near Ilidalgo, Tex.. where the last of them were exterminated by Mexican ranchers in 1558.
The Karankawa appear to have been utter and irredeemable savages. hut withal a rare courage and magnificent physique. The men wore only the G-string, the women n deerskin skirt, and both sexes tattooed the face. Their houses were mere shelters of poles, over which skins were fastened on the windward side. They subsisted on game, wild fruits, and fish. They made sonic and had a festival at Nvh ich they drank the 'black drink' from the yaupon while dancing to the sound of flute, rattle, and notched stick. Consult Gatsehet, "The Karan kawa Indians," in P• ubody .11u8eunt Papers. vol. ii. (Cambridge, 1001).