For the first time, the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board will manage a booth at the 74th annual Choctaw Indian Fair, July 10–13.
Located in Choctaw, Mississippi, the fair presents many cultural arts, including handmade basketry and beadwork, various dances each day, and traditional foods. Wednesday night features the Princess Pageant, in which a new Choctaw Princess will be crowned based on her handcrafted dress and amiable personality. Guests also have the chance to watch the exciting World Series Stickball tournaments played daily.
Building awareness of Choctaw
Ray Duplessie, MBCB Choctaw Ministry contract consultant, sees the fair as a way to build awareness of the Choctaw people within the surrounding community.
“One thing I find interesting is that a lot of people in Mississippi are not aware that Choctaws live here,” Duplessie shared.
Duplessie encourages Mississippi Baptists to participate in one of the Choctaws’ greatest social events of the year in order to engage cross-culturally with their neighbors.
“The Choctaw Fair is an opportunity for people outside the reservation to experience some of what the Choctaw people are about,” Duplessie said. “It’s kind of like a county fair; they have competitions between the different communities, rides for the kids, and some Choctaw cuisine.”
Food, music and ministry
He noted one famous food is the Indian Taco, which is fried bread with taco meat “and all sorts of stuff on it.” Every night, he added, will also feature a different singer or band, including Christian artist Michael W. Smith on Thursday night.”
Duplessie recognizes the fair as a perfect place to learn more about the individuals who form the Choctaw communities, to celebrate the rich heritage they hold, and to communicate the love of Christ to passersby.
Partnering with the Choctaw Translation Committee, which is currently working on a modern Choctaw Bible, the MBCB’s Multicultural Ministries Department will give out Bibles, tracts and fans with John 3:16 in Choctaw on one side and the names of the Choctaw Baptist churches on the other.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Lindsey Williams and originally published by the Baptist Record.
