On September 17 and 18, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., hundreds of craftsmen, storytellers, historians, and dancers will gather at the Ocmulgee National Monument for the 25th annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration. This celebration wonderfully showcases the rich culture and significant influence of Native Americans in the Southeast.
This celebration of Native American heritage and tradition attracts some 20,000 guests, and brings hundreds of Native Americans to their ancestral home. You can learn to play stickball (a traditional Native American pastime), sample delicious food (such as Indian tacos, fry bread, buffalo, and roasted corn), hear traditional music, watch Native dancers perform, listen to storytellers recount tales of the past, and browse masterpieces created by Native artisans.
In order to fully understand the celebration, though, we have to go back in time. People have long occupied the Macon area, and the earthworks at Ocmulgee National Monument (built prior to 1000 CE) are proof. The South Appalachian Mississippian Indians (now known as the Muscogee Creeks) built a Great Temple, ceremonial mounds, burial mounds, and defensive trenches, all out of earth... and most are still standing today.
Photo Credit: Flickr/Geoff Alexander
Photo Credit: Flickr/Bill Rand
Photo Credit: Flickr/Geoff Alexander
A visit to the Ocmulgee National Monument lets you see these brilliantly engineered earthworks, as well as an archaeology museum that displays artifacts from the 17,000 years of continuous habitation. You’ll also learn more about the modern history of this site.
Want a closer look? Go inside the reconstructed earth lodge or climb to the top of the Great Temple Mound. When you visit, leave plenty of time to hike the trails around the mounds, explore the visitor center, and museum!
With its variety of offerings—including demonstrations, food, and activities—the Ocmulgee Indian Celebration is an awesome way to fully immerse yourself in this fascinating historic site!