Nanih Waiya Mound And Village

Nanih Waiya (alternately spelled Nunih Waya) is an ancient earthwork mound in southern Winston County, Mississippi, constructed by indigenous people during the Middle Woodland period, about 1-300 CE. Since the 17th century, the Choctaw have venerated Nanih Waiya as their sacred origin location in their traditional beliefs. The mound of Nanih Waiya is about tall, wide, and long. Evidence suggests it was originally a larger platform mound, which has eroded into the present shape. At one time, it was bounded on three sides by a circular earthwork enclosure about ten feet tall, which encompassed one square mile. In 2006, the Mississippi Legislature's State Bill 2803 officially returned control of the site to the Luke Family, and T. W. Luke deeded it to the State on the condition that it be maintained as a park. In 2008, the Luke family deeded control to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a Federally recognized tribe. Nanih Waiya has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.