Taensas

Also known as Tahensa, Tinsas, Tenisaw, Taënsa, grands Taensas, Taenso, Takensa, TenzaTinza

The Taensa were an Indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands, whose settlements at the time of European contact in the late 17th century were located in present-day Tensas Parish, Louisiana. The meaning of the name, which has the further spelling variants of Taenso, Tinsas, Tenza or Tinza, Tahensa or Takensa, and Tenisaw, is unknown. It is believed to be an autonym. The Taensa should not be confused with the Avoyel (or Avoyelles), known by the French as the petits Taensas (English: Little Taensa), who were mentioned in writings by explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville in 1699. The Taensa