Local traditions and culture in Oklahoma

To gain an understanding of the history and culture of the area one should travel to The Cherokee museum in Tahlequah. Great museum. Reconstructed pre-columbian and post trail of tears era settlements. They use to run a play as well. Good destination

The law referred to regarding blue jay feathers doesn't fit with your list of absurdities. It is
unlawful to possess feathers from many bird species because of declining populations.
Eagles have just been removed from the endangered list, but it is still unlawful to have their
feathers in your possession.

As for mules drinking from birdbaths -- if I catch a mule sipping from my birdbath, I'll call 911!

I'm encouraged by the sight of local drivers motioning a waiting motorist to enter traffic ahead
of himself/herself. Acts of courtesy help defuse the frustration of heavy traffic and encourage
other drivers to extend the same favor when possible. Every random act of kindness helps, and it fits with our Oklahoma hospitality.

I mentioned elsewhere that there are more Native Americans in Oklahoma than any other state and that in the past 20 - 30 years a lot has been done to help reclaim and preserve that heritage. I do not tully understand the functions of Native American Nations but know that they have significant autonomy in running their own affairs. When we were in Oklahoma recently the Seminole Nation has an election upcoming in which they will elect their chief. This is a far cry from the times I remember when the chiefs were appointed by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. The license plate in the photo is one manifestation of tribal pride.

Oklahoma's slogan is "Native America." The reason for this is because many indian tribes have settled here over the generations. Cherokee, Choctaw, and many others have reservations located in numerous parts of the state. If you happen to drive onto thier reservations, be respectful and obey all of their laws.

The present Oklahoma State Flag adopted by the State Legislature in 1925, is Oklahoma's 14th flag. This shows a sky blue field with a central device: an Indian war shield of tan buckskin showing small crosses on the face -- the Indian design for stars -- and seven eagle feathers pendent for the edge of the shield. An Indian peace pipe (calumet) with a pipestone bowl and a tassel at the end of the pipestem lies on the shield; above the Indian peace pipe is an olive branch, the white man's emblem of peace. Underneath the shield or design in white letters is the word 'Oklahoma.'


Text is from the 1997-1998 Oklahoma Almanac, Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Also view this link

Oklahoma - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

It is a really bad idea to keep a stereotype of Okie's being "hicks". There are universities in Oklahma and many Okies also go to universities elsewhere, like the east coast. Having an accent or dialect does not indicate lack of intelligence. Afterall, people who go to Harvard, often say "Pahk da' Cah" rather than "Park the Car" do they not?

Education level aside, they have the same norms for "good behavior" as anywhere else, the big difference is that there are fewer "aires" they are just down to earth and like to make visitors feel comfortable. They will appreciate a firm handshake with good eye contact.

People are really friendly in Oklahoma, so if you're walking out of a restaurant and they look at you and say "Hi", they're probably not trying to "pick you up", they're just being polite. And if you don't say "Hi" back they'll think you are rude and probably from "up north somewhere". Okie's generally have a stereotype that people from the northeast are rude and unfriendly.

We had read that Oklahoma is fairly conservative when it comes to alcohol and such matters. Not taking any chances, we stopped in McKinney, Texas on our way out of Dallas to get a few supplies for the weekend - only to discover that it was a "dry" town! It had never occurred to me that this could be a local town decision. While there we did buy some CDs for our pleasure as we drove along! We went a few miles up the road and managed to get what we needed - I never did find out what the true story is in Oklahoma!

Oklahoma State Song
Oklahoma
Written by Oscar Hammerstein II.........................

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain,
And the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
When the wind comes right behind the rain.
Oklahoma, ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky.
We know we belong to the land
And the land we belong to is grand!
And when we say--Yeeow! A-yip-i-o-ee ay!
We're only sayin' You're doin' fine, Oklahoma! Oklahoma--O.K.