What is kanza?

Kanza is a Native American tribe that originally lived in the central region of North America, particularly in what is now Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The tribe is also sometimes called the Kaw tribe, which is a phonetic spelling of their name in their own language.

The Kanza were traditionally a semi-nomadic people who relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants for subsistence. They were also skilled farmers who cultivated crops like corn, beans, and squash.

The Kanza had a complex social and political structure that was based on clans and extended families. They were known for their elaborate religious ceremonies and their use of a sacred bundle to communicate with the spirit world.

In the 19th century, the Kanza were forced to give up their ancestral lands and move to a reservation in Oklahoma. Today, the tribe is officially recognized as the Kaw Nation and maintains a tribal government and cultural center in Kaw City, Oklahoma.