Pacaha

Pacaha was a chiefdom of northeastern Arkansas whose principal town stood near the Mississippi River. A palisade, towers and a water-filled moat defended the settlement. Its chief ruled several smaller towns, and his people cultivated the fertile lowlands. Pacaha was a rival of the neighboring chiefdom of Casqui, with which it had fought a long war.

In 1541 Hernando de Soto and his expedition entered the region. Spanish soldiers and Casqui warriors attacked the town of Pacaha, after which de Soto brought the rival chiefs together and arranged a peace. The expedition remained at Pacaha for forty days, sending parties northward in search of gold and information. The Spaniards then departed farther into Arkansas, leaving the two chiefdoms to contend with the consequences of their arrival.