Mayaimi

The Mayaimi were a group of Native American people who lived long ago around a big lake called Lake Okeechobee. This lake is in the Belle Glade area of Florida. Their name, Mayaimi, means “big water” in their language.

The Mayaimi lived by the lake from the very beginning of the Common Era until the 1700s. They built special dirt mounds for their homes and ceremonies. They also made canals to help them travel in their canoes.

People learned about the Mayaimi from stories and old maps. Even though they are no longer around today, their name lives on in the city of Miami, which was named after the lake they loved.