Political ans Social Organization

Florida´s Native People were never organized as large political units (tribes). Rather they practiced chiefdomships; whereby the chief and individuals of several small villages chose an overall leader (usually the chief of the area's principal town). Principal towns were formed when a village grew too large for the natural environment in that area to support the population level. Then, another village would bud off the main village and in this way, chiefdomships formed and grew. Sometimes, such as in war, alliances were formed between two or more chiefdoms. Alliances were also formed through marriage between clans and villages.

Chiefs, among the Timucua, were chosen from the White Deer Clan. It was an inherited title, passed from uncle to sister's son (nephew); as theirs was a matrilineal society. The Timucuan word for chief is Holata. Chiefs were accorded great respect, and ruled with the assistance of another member of the chief's clan (possibly a close relative) who was called the Inija. Another of the chief's administrative assistants was the Paracusi (war chief). The War Chief's aides and advisors were called Ibitano, Toponole, Bichara, Amalachini, and Itorimitono.

Women could be chiefs well as men and had their own female advisors that sat in council with them. Respected village elders and others who had reached a point of high status were called the "Principal Men" and "Principal Women". They served as advisors to the chief and his council. Other clans among the Timucua included: Panther Clan, Bear Clan, Fish Clan, Earth Clan, Buzzard Clan and Quail Clan.