Living In Nature Chapter 5, Lesson 2 Mr. Heath Fall 2008

Farming Grew squash, corn, sunflowers, beans Maize—a type of corn grown by the Native Americans Grew squash, corn, sunflowers, beans Learned to farm rich soil near rivers Learned when plant in the spring and when to harvest in the fall

Fishing Different methods in different regions Weirs— Traps made of sticks that worked like a dam Used by people along coast such as the Secotan Saponi of Piedmont built V-shaped dams across the Yadkin River to trap fish in a woven basket

Hunting Deer, turkey, bear, rabbits Nothing Wasted Hides for clothing or coverings for homes Bones used to make tools or jewelry Wrapped sinew around arrow to attach to stick to make a spear

Clearing Land GIRDLING Use of stone axes to cut, break or bruise the bark all the way around a tree Trees girdled in the summer Trees would die during the winter Over time the trunks of the trees would rot and fall over and were burned Ashes from trees acted as a fertilizer

A person demonstrating girdling a tree

Natural Medicines Yaupon Tea Ginseng Root Dogwood Bark Made from a small holly bush that grows near the coast Used by Algonquians as an energy drink Ginseng Root Chewed by Cherokee in Spring Cherokee believed that it helped all parts of the body Dogwood Bark Thought to bring down a high fever

Native American Villages Often located near rivers or streams Reasons for locating near waterways Transportation Drinking Water Bathing Water Water for Crops Food—Fish Rich Soil Birds and other animals more plentiful The Algonquian Village of Secotan

Algonquian Village of Secotan From a Painting by Explorer John White

Types of Homes Eastern North Carolina Wigwams Longhouses

Wigwams Wigwams were dome-shaped houses made by bending the trunks of small trees over to make a frame. The frame was then covered with animal skins, or grass thatch or mats.

Inside a Longhouse or Wigwam

Animal Hides inside a Wigwam or Longhouse

Longhouses Longhouses were built similar to wigwams but with a different shape. Longhouses were long arch-shaped buildings that were flat on the ends. They ranged from 36—72 feet long

Homes of the Mountains Homes built out of wattle and daub Wattle—made by weaving sticks together Daub—Plaster made of clay that covered the wattle

Stockades What was a stockade? What purpose did the stockade serve? A fence made up of wooden posts or stakes that often surrounded a village What purpose did the stockade serve? To protect the village from enemies and wild animals Palisade—another name for stockade

Watercolor of the Algonquian village of Pomeiock by the English explorer John White. Pomeiock was located along the Pamlico Sound near Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina

Council Leaders of several villages that were close to each other Chosen by members of the villages Made rules and decisions for villages that were close together Met at Council House Examples of Decisions: Helping Others in Need Going to War Moving to a Better Land

The Cherokee Council House Built Large Council Houses on top of Mounds Held Ceremonies Housed Guests Some Could Hold as Many as 500 People Made like a large wigwam with a thatched roof

Division of Labor—Fathers’ Roles Build Family Home Hunt With Other Men Made Tools Made Canoes Made Repairs

Division of Labor—Mothers’ Roles Remove Skin From Animals Prepare Hides for Making Clothes Cooks Meals Tends Garden Makes Baskets, Mats, and Pottery

Division of Labor—Boys’ Roles Learn about woods, rivers or ocean Learn how to identify animal tracks Sharpen Arrows Practice With Arrows Learn How To Make Tools Exercise Find Wood for the Fire

Division of Labor—Girls’ Roles Learn about working in the fields and garden Learn which plants are edible Learn how to cook on a fire Help take care of the other children Help mother dig for clay to make pottery Learn to sew

Role of Older Adults Called elders Tell Stories Lead the younger people

The Role of Women Most were Matrilineal Societies Traced family names through mother’s side of the family When a man married, he went to live with his wife’s family

Native American Influences Today Native American Words canoe, moccasin, pocosin, Place Names Hatteras, Catawba River, Lake Waccamaw, Roanoke River, Lake Mattamuskeet, etc. Foods Succotash, hominy grits, cornbread Roads Many started as Indian trading paths

This tree near Southport, NC is estimated to be more than 800 years old. Indians may have bent the tree to mark the trail to their fishing grounds.