The Karankawa were a group of Indigenous peoples who inhabited the coastal regions of present-day Texas, particularly around Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Known for their nomadic lifestyle, they were skilled fishermen and hunters, relying on the abundant resources of the coastal environment. The Karankawa were noted for their unique cultural practices, including their use of canoes and distinctive tattoos. Their population declined in the 19th century due to disease, conflict, and displacement caused by European colonization.