Urban Indian
- Sep 20, 2023
- 2 min read

Black Americans' Indigenous Roots: A Forgotten Legacy ft. Chief Sekhu Hadjo Gentle of The Yamassee

Chief Se'khu Hadjo Gentle of the Yamassee Tribe as he unravels the captivating history of the Yamassee people, sheds light on the indigenous roots of Black Americans, and delves into pivotal events such as the Yamassee War and the Trail of Tears. Se'khu is the direct descendant by blood of matriarchal Yamassee.

The Yamassee were very hard working Gentle people and attempted and succeeded in sharing their knowledge of life, farming and strategies for battle.

The gentle nature and fierce battle techniques made the Yamassee formidable allies (and) enemies to those they encountered. Untold stories reveal that the war that became known as the “Yamassee War of 1715” left the Carolina’s with history’s most bloodiest war, compared to King Phillips. Unfair trade practices, and Land Encroachments violating a South Carolina Law forced us to war. Well over 400 Carolina citizens died from the initial start of the war and many more lives would be taken by the end of the late 1800’s.

How did the Yamassee seem to Virtually Disappear from History books and be considered extinct?

This was achieved by various authors & their use of the same reference material.

(Note the United States government has never claimed or documented the extinction of the Yamassee)

The South Carolina Slave code was a catalyst that changed the Yamassee identity and also that of many native americans, forcing any that was not identifying themselves as European into slavery.

iaCourt records prove many natives identities literally change from “Indian” to “Negro” “Mulatto” and other , from a simple claim by a white citizen attempting to put a Indian into servitude. What became clear was the calculated use of the word “Negro” on certain Carolina natives, and the use of the word African when there was no doubt to the persons origin. The reader should be reminded that any person of dark skin tone was identified as “negro” and no exceptions were made.

How did the Slave code affect the Yamassee, more than any other group of Indians . We had the largest group of tribal people and factually were described as “Black” or “Negro” . We also were considered darker than the “Creeks” a new word coined by Europeans to describe Yamassee bands or clans found on river banks or creeks.