Kullihoma is located between Ada and Allen on Highway 1. It was established after the passage of the Indian Welfare Act of 1936. That year, more than 146 acres were put into trust by the United States government for the Chickasaw Nation. By 1975, almost 628 acres were in trust. In 1991, another 850 acres were added to Kullihoma and there were an additional 483 acres added in 2011. Today, Kullihoma covers more than 1,961 acres.
Kullihoma (Kalihoma has been used as a spelling in the past to refer to the same area) means “Red Springs” in the Chickasaw language and was named after the red waters that came before a storm. The natural spring located there has dried up due to logging in the area. It is an area rich in Chickasaw history, culture and tradition.
In the early 1900s, a neighborhood school was operated by the Chickasaw Nation to serve the residents in the area. After statehood in 1906, it was shutdown. Another school was built in the 1930s, but was eventually closed. Chickasaw families continued to reside in the area until the 1970s.
In early 1977, the Chickasaw Nation built a retreat and convention center in the shape of a Thunderbird at Kullihoma. The facility had a kitchen, dining room and shower facilities. It also included a museum area, two lounges, seminar rooms, guest rooms, an office and storage space.
In the 1990s, Kullihoma was identified as a site to re-establish an area for stomp dancing and other cultural activities. Kullihoma has strong cultural ties to stomp dancing dating back to the 1800s and the location was found to be the best place for the modern-day stomp dance grounds. This consists of a place to dance with arbors set in the four directions around the dance area.
Near the stomp dance grounds are several replicated traditional community structures that Chickasaw ancestors constructed and used during the Mississippian cultural stage throughout the Homeland (consisting of parts of present-day Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee). These structures include a council house, raised corn crib, winter and summer houses. There is also a field to play the social version of the stickball game. RV hookups are located near the stomp dance grounds for families to camp and enjoy the scenic area, including a lake nearby.
There are other areas utilized by Chickasaw citizens. Located about a quarter of a mile east of the stomp dance ground consists of a softball field, a horseshoe area and stickball playing grounds. The field also hosts cornstalk shoots in which competitors use bows and arrows. In addition, the Chickasaw Nation has a senior site to offer services to elders in the area.
Kullihoma remains important to the Chickasaw people and is where they can gather, reunite and carry on their traditions.