Wapmanat: The History and Culture of the Wampanoag People
The Wampanoag are a Native American people who have lived in southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island for thousands of years. They have a rich and diverse history and culture that spans from the pre-colonial era to the present day. In this article, we will explore who the Wampanoag are, where they come from, how they lived, what they believe, how they interacted with other groups, how they survived colonization and war, and how they continue to thrive in the modern world.
Introduction
The word Wampanoag means "People of the First Light" or "Easterners" in their own language, which is called Wôpanâak. They pronounce it as wahm-pah-nah-awk. The Wampanoag are part of a larger group of Native Americans who speak Algonquian languages, which are widespread across North America. The Wampanoag are divided into several tribes, each with its own chief or sachem. The two main tribes today are the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), which are both federally recognized. Other tribes include the Pokanoket, who were once the leaders of the Wampanoag confederation, and the Herring Pond, Nemasket, Chappaquiddick, Nantucket, Pocasset, Assawompset, Hassanamesit, Nipmuc, Seaconke, Massachusett, Nauset, Naumkeag, Agawam, Patuxet, Sowams, Cowesit, Mattakeeset, Punkapoag, Muskeget, Tisquantum, Cuttyhunk, Noman's The Wampanoag Before European Contact
Before the arrival of the Europeans, the Wampanoag lived in harmony with the land and the sea. They were a semi-sedentary people who moved seasonally between fixed sites, depending on the availability of natural resources. They had a complex and sophisticated society, organized into clans, bands, villages, and confederations. They had a matrilineal system, meaning that descent and inheritance were traced through the mother's line. They also had a balanced division of labor, with men responsible for hunting, fishing, and warfare, and women responsible for farming, gathering, and domestic tasks.
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The Wampanoag had a rich and diverse culture, based on their beliefs and traditions. They believed in a supreme creator called Kiehtan, who made the first man and woman out of clay. They also believed in many other spirits and beings, such as Moshup the giant, who created the islands of Noepe and Nantucket by throwing rocks into the sea. They had a sacred fire that was kept burning at all times, and they performed ceremonies and rituals to honor their ancestors, celebrate the seasons, and ask for blessings. They had oral traditions that passed down their history, stories, songs, and wisdom from generation to generation.
The Wampanoag had a peaceful and cooperative relationship with other Native American groups in the region. They traded goods and services with their neighbors, such as the Narragansett, the Nipmuc, the Massachusett, and the Nauset. They also formed alliances and confederations to deal with common enemies or threats, such as the Mohawk or the Pequot. They respected each other's territories and boundaries, and they followed a code of diplomacy and etiquette when dealing with other groups. The Wampanoag and the Pilgrims
The Wampanoag and the Pilgrims had a complex and changing relationship that began in 1620, when the Mayflower landed in Patuxet, the Wampanoag village that had been wiped out by the epidemic. The Pilgrims, who were seeking religious freedom and a new home, were not prepared for the harsh winter and the unfamiliar land. They suffered from hunger, disease, and exposure, and many of them died. The Wampanoag, who had lost many of their own people to the epidemic and the slave trade, were curious and cautious about the newcomers. They observed them from a distance, but did not make contact until March 1621, when an English-speaking Wampanoag named Samoset approached them and greeted them with "Welcome, Englishmen."
Samoset introduced the Pilgrims to another Wampanoag named Tisquantum, or Squanto, who had been kidnapped by Thomas Hunt in 1614 and sold into slavery in Spain. He had escaped and returned to his homeland with the help of some Englishmen, only to find his village and family gone. Squanto became a vital mediator and interpreter between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, teaching them how to plant corn, beans, and squash, how to fish and hunt, and how to trade with other tribes. He also helped them establish a peace treaty with Massasoit, the sachem of the Wampanoag confederation. The treaty stated that the two parties would not harm each other, would aid each other in times of need, and would respect each other's territories and resources.
The treaty was honored by both sides for more than 50 years. The Wampanoag and the Pilgrims became allies and friends, sharing their knowledge, skills, and goods. They also celebrated together the first successful harvest at Plymouth in November 1621, which is now remembered as the first Thanksgiving. The feast lasted for three days and included about 90 Wampanoag men and 50 Pilgrim men, women, and children. They ate deer, turkey, cornbread, pumpkin, berries, nuts, and other foods that they had grown or gathered. They also played games, sang songs, danced, and gave thanks to God for their blessings.
However, as more English settlers arrived in New England in the following years, the balance of power shifted. The colonists began to encroach on Wampanoag lands, resources, and culture. They brought more diseases that killed many Native Americans. They also imposed their laws, religion, and customs on the Wampanoag, who were expected to obey them or face punishment. Some colonists also cheated or mistreated the Wampanoag in trade or other dealings. The alliance between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims gradually eroded as tensions and mistrust grew.
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wapmanat.com guides and tutorials King Philip's War and Its Aftermath
King Philip's War, also known as Metacom's War or the First Indian War, was an armed conflict between the Wampanoag and their allies and the English colonists and their allies in 1675-1676. It was one of the bloodiest wars (per capita) in U.S. history, resulting in the death of about 40 percent of the Wampanoag and 5 percent of the colonists.
The war was triggered by the expansion of English settlement on Wampanoag lands and the resistance of the Wampanoag led by Metacom, also known as King Philip, who was the son of Massasoit and the brother of Wamsutta. Metacom had inherited the leadership of the Wampanoag confederation after his father's death in 1661 and his brother's death in 1662, both under suspicious circumstances involving the colonists. Metacom was frustrated by the colonists' encroachment, oppression, and betrayal, and he decided to unite the Wampanoag and other tribes to drive them out of New England.
The war began in June 1675, when a group of Wampanoag warriors killed nine colonists in Swansea, Massachusetts, in retaliation for the execution of three Wampanoag men who had been accused of murdering John Sassamon, a Christian convert who had informed the colonists of Metacom's plans. The colonists responded by sending militia to attack Wampanoag villages, and soon the war spread to other tribes and colonies. The Wampanoag and their allies, such as the Nipmuc, Podunk, Narragansett, Nashaway, and Wabanaki, used guerrilla tactics to raid and burn colonial towns and farms, killing hundreds of settlers. The colonists and their allies, such as the Mohegan, Pequot, Mohawk, and some Christian Indians, fought back with conventional warfare and siege tactics, destroying Indian villages and food supplies, killing thousands of natives.
The war reached its climax in December 1675, when the colonists attacked the Narragansett stronghold in the Great Swamp in present-day Rhode Island, killing about 600 natives, mostly women, children, and elders. The surviving Narragansett joined Metacom's cause and continued to fight until their chief Canonchet was captured and executed in April 1676. Metacom himself was killed by a Christian Indian named John Alderman on August 12, 1676, near Mount Hope in present-day Bristol, Rhode Island. His head was cut off and displayed on a pole in Plymouth for 25 years. His wife and son were sold into slavery in Bermuda.
The war had devastating effects on both sides. The Wampanoag lost most of their population, land, culture, and autonomy. Many of them were killed or died from starvation or disease. Many others were enslaved or forced to flee to other regions or countries. Some of them assimilated into other tribes or communities. The colonists also suffered heavy losses in lives, property, economy, and security. They faced a huge debt from financing the war and rebuilding their towns. They also faced a moral crisis from their brutal treatment of the natives. The war marked the end of Native American power in southern New England and the beginning of colonial domination. The Wampanoag Today
Today, the Wampanoag are still alive and proud of their heritage and identity. They number about 5,000 people, most of whom live in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. They have two federally recognized tribes, the Mashpee Wampanoag and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), which have their own governments, lands, and services. They also have several state-recognized and unrecognized tribes, such as the Herring Pond, Nemasket, Chappaquiddick, Nantucket, Pocasset, Assawompset, Hassanamesit, Nipmuc, Seaconke, Massachusett, Nauset, Naumkeag, Agawam, Patuxet, Sowams, Cowesit, Mattakeeset, Punkapoag, Muskeget, Tisquantum, Cuttyhunk, Noman's.
The Wampanoag are working hard to preserve and revitalize their language and culture. They have established language programs and schools to teach Wôpanâak to their children and adults. They have also created dictionaries, textbooks, and online resources to document and promote their language. They have reclaimed and celebrated their traditions and ceremonies, such as the Green Corn Festival, the Strawberry Thanksgiving, the Cranberry Day, the Winter Solstice, and the National Day of Mourning. They have also restored and displayed their arts and crafts, such as wampum beads, baskets, pottery, quillwork, and regalia.
The Wampanoag have achieved many accomplishments and faced many challenges in the modern world. They have contributed to various fields and professions, such as education, medicine, law, politics, business, sports, arts, and entertainment. Some examples of notable Wampanoag people are Gladys Widdiss (potter and tribal leader), Russell Peters (linguist and activist), Ramona Peters (artist and educator), Cedric Cromwell (tribal chairman), Jessie Little Doe Baird (linguist and MacArthur Fellow), Linda Coombs (historian and author), Troy Jackson (basketball player), Sherry Pocknett (chef and restaurateur), Paula Peters (journalist and filmmaker), Jonathan Perry (archaeologist and storyteller), Annawon Weeden (actor and cultural educator), Talia Landry (Miss Native American USA 2016-2017), and Siobhan Brown (singer and songwriter).
However, the Wampanoag also face many difficulties and struggles in the modern world. They have to deal with poverty, unemployment, health issues, substance abuse, discrimination, racism, and cultural erosion. They have to fight for their rights, sovereignty, recognition, and resources. They have to cope with the legacy of colonization, war, and trauma. They have to balance their traditional values and modern lifestyles. They have to protect their lands, waters, and sacred sites from environmental threats and development pressures. They have to educate the public and correct the stereotypes and misconceptions about their people and history.
Conclusion
The Wampanoag are a resilient and proud people who have survived and thrived despite the many challenges and changes they have faced over the centuries. They have a rich and diverse history and culture that reflects their connection to the land, the sea, and the spirit. They have a complex and changing relationship with the English colonists and their descendants, from friendship and alliance to conflict and resistance. They have a vital and dynamic presence in the modern world, where they continue to contribute, create, and celebrate their heritage and identity. The Wampanoag are not only the people of the first light, but also the people of the lasting light.
FAQs
What is the difference between Wampanoag and Pokanoket?
Wampanoag is the name of a confederation of tribes that share a common language and culture. Pokanoket is the name of one of those tribes, which was also the leading tribe of the confederation before the arrival of the Europeans. The Pokanoket tribe is also known as the Wampanoag Nation or the Wampanoag Tribe of Rhode Island.
How do you say hello in Wampanoag?
The word for hello in Wôpanâak is kutaputunumuw, which means "I greet you." It is pronounced as koo-tah-poo-too-noo-moo. To say goodbye, you can say wunee wunôq, which means "peace be with you." It is pronounced as woo-nee woo-noh.
What is wampum and how did the Wampanoag use it?
Wampum is a type of bead made from shells, especially quahog shells, which are purple and white in color. The Wampanoag used wampum for various purposes, such as currency, jewelry, gifts, ceremonies, treaties, records, and messages. Wampum was highly valued by the Wampanoag and other Native American groups for its beauty, durability, and symbolism. Each wampum bead had a meaning and a story behind it.
Who are some famous Wampanoag people in history and today?
Some famous Wampanoag people in history are: - Massasoit: The sachem of the Wampanoag confederation who made peace with the Pilgrims and helped them survive. - Metacom: The son of Massasoit who led the war against the colonists in 1675-1676. - Squanto: The interpreter and mediator between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims who taught them how to farm. - Weetamoo: The female sachem of the Pocasset tribe who fought alongside Metacom in the war. - Corbitant: The sachem of the Nemasket tribe who opposed the alliance with the Pilgrims. - Philip Deloria: The grandson of Massasoit who became a Christian minister and missionary. Some famous Wampanoag people today are: - Gladys Widdiss: A potter and tribal leader who revived the tradition of making clay pots. - Russell Peters: A linguist and activist who helped preserve and revitalize the Wôpanâak language. - Ramona Peters: An artist and educator who creates sculptures and teaches about Wampanoag culture. - Cedric Cromwell: The current tribal chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. - Jessie Little Doe Baird: A linguist and MacArthur Fellow who developed a dictionary and curriculum for teaching Wôpanâak. - Linda Coombs: A historian and author who writes about Wampanoag history and culture. - Troy Jackson: A basketball player who played for several teams in Europe and Asia. - Sherry Pocknett: A chef and restaurateur who specializes in Native American cuisine. - Paula Peters: A journalist and filmmaker who produced a documentary about the Wampanoag-Pilgrim relationship. - Annawon Weeden: An actor and cultural educator who performs in theater and film. - Talia Landry: Miss Native American USA 2016-2017 who advocates for Native American youth and education. - Siobhan Brown: A singer and songwriter who blends Wampanoag and contemporary music styles.
Where can I find more information about the Wampanoag people?
If you are interested in learning more about the Wampanoag people, you can visit their official websites, such as: - [Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe] - [Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)] - [Wampanoag Nation] You can also check out some of the books, articles, documentaries, and museums that feature the Wampanoag people, such as: - [We Are the Wampanoag] by Elizabeth Raum - [The Wampanoag] by Alice K. Flanagan - [The First Thanksgiving: What the Real Story Tells Us About Loving God and Learning from History] by Robert Tracy McKenzie - [We Still Live Here: Âs Nutayuneân] by Anne Makepeace - [Mashpee Nine: A Story of Cultural Justice] by Paula Peters - [Plimoth Plantation] in Plymouth, Massachusetts - [Aquinnah Cultural Center] in Aquinnah, Massachusetts I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about the Wampanoag people. They are a fascinating and inspiring people who have a lot to teach us about history, culture, and resilience. Thank you for your attention and interest. 44f88ac181
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