Unraveling the Mystery: Were the Ancient Duhare Tribe of South Carolina Indeed Irish Indians?

The history of North America is rich with tales of diverse indigenous peoples, but few are as enigmatic and debated as the Duhare tribe. Predecessors of the modern Creek Indian tribe, the Duhare lived in the coastal regions of present-day South Carolina and Georgia, distinguishing themselves remarkably from other native populations. Their unique physical attributes and advanced cultural practices have fueled an enduring mystery: could the Duhare tribe have been early Irish Indians, predating Columbus by centuries?

This intriguing question has captivated historians and researchers for generations, drawing on early Spanish accounts and modern linguistic and archaeological discoveries. The Duhare were unlike any other natives encountered by European explorers, sparking a debate that continues to this day about their true origins and their place in the complex tapestry of pre-Columbian America.

The Enigmatic Duhare: A Society Ahead of Its Time

Spanish explorers in the early 16th century described the Duhare as remarkably distinct. They were consistently noted to be Caucasian, with striking red or brown hair often extending to their heels, numerous freckles, and gray eyes. Furthermore, they were noticeably taller than other indigenous people in the area and even the Spanish themselves. Many men wore mustaches, and their high leaders were observed with beards, a significant deviation from typical Native American practices.

Beyond their physical appearance, the Duhare demonstrated an astonishing level of societal advancement. They engaged in the domestication of deer, a practice highly unusual in North America. These herd animals were managed using herd dogs, much in the way Europeans managed cattle. They not only herded deer but also milked them, producing cheese from the milk. Excess male deer were fattened with corn for butchering, showcasing a sophisticated agricultural and animal husbandry system. Corrals were built to house the deer at night, while during the day, they roamed with herders.

Their agricultural prowess extended to fowl, as they raised chickens, ducks, geese, and other birds. They were skilled farmers, cultivating large quantities of Indian corn, various grains, potatoes, and other New World vegetables. Interestingly, they also possessed metal tools, a technological advantage not commonly found among their neighbors. Their governance was equally impressive, led by a chief named Datha, described as gigantic, with a wife of similar stature. The chief was carried on the shoulders of strong young men in place of horses, adorned with brightly colored paint or tattoos, and resided in a stone palace – features that further set them apart. Despite these unique characteristics, in other aspects, such as their houses and pottery, they shared similarities with other American Indian cultures.

First Encounters and Spanish Records

The Duhare tribe first entered European records in 1521 through the accounts of Captain Francisco Gordillo, a Spanish explorer, and Pedro de Quejo, a Spanish slaver. Sent northward from Hispaniola by Lucas Vasquez de Allyon to explore the American mainland, Gordillo joined forces with Quejo. Together, they became the first known Spaniards to sail along the coasts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

Upon their arrival in what is now South Carolina, the Spanish established friendly relations with the Duhare people. However, they regrettably captured 70-80 natives from the neighboring Chicora tribe for slavery. Upon their return to the Caribbean, the explorers recounted their experiences with the Duhare to Peter Martyr d’Anghiera, an Italian historian tasked with chronicling Spanish explorations. Martyr’s records explicitly state that the Duhare stood at least a foot taller than the Spanish and possessed a society significantly more advanced than other indigenous groups encountered. Further documentation from Spanish explorer Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon’s landing in South Carolina in 1526 noted that the Duhare possessed pyrotechnic devices, including sparklers and rockets, and meticulously divided their year into twelve moons, indicating an advanced understanding of timekeeping.

The Compelling Case for an Irish Origin

For centuries, the peculiar traits of the Duhare led some researchers to propose a radical theory: an Irish origin. Several pieces of evidence bolster this hypothesis:

• Dairy Deer: While seemingly improbable to many, the practice of domesticating and milking deer was known among several Gaelic tribes in Ireland and Scotland before the widespread adoption of dairy cows. Deer milk was even celebrated in Gaelic poetry, lending credence to the Duhare’s unique practice.

• Linguistic Connections: In Gaelic dictionaries, the word “Duhare” can be translated in two meaningful ways: as “di-hAicher,” meaning “place of the Clan Hare,” or “du’hEir,” meaning “place of the Irish.” The name of their chief, “Datha,” also has a significant link, being a Medieval Irish Gaelic word meaning “painted” – a fitting description for a chief adorned with paint or tattoos.

• Viking Accounts: The Vikings, who explored North America long before Christopher Columbus, described the Irish as skilled seamen who undertook extensive journeys, reaching as far as Iceland by the 10th century. Notably, the Vikings also claimed that the Irish occupied an area south of the Chesapeake Bay known as Hvitramamaland, or “Land of the White Men.”

  

• Early European Presence: The New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia and other historical sources mention the Irish as potentially being among the first Europeans to reach the Americas, hundreds of years prior to Columbus. The Encyclopedia also referenced a white tribe in Florida, noted by the Shawano Indians, which reportedly possessed iron implements. The Duhare’s ownership of metal tools, despite the nearest iron and copper deposits being 280 miles away, strongly suggests a European influence, even if not definitively Irish.

Skepticism, Discredit, and Modern Re-evaluation

Despite the compelling nature of these connections, the idea of an Irish origin for the Duhare was largely met with skepticism and outright dismissal for many years. In 1983, Dr. Barry Fell, a Harvard University professor emeritus, claimed to have found