Iroquois of the Eastern Woodlands The Storyteller by L.F. Tantillo

The Iroquois of the Eastern Woodlands Territory: In the fertile land of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River

Iroquois Villages and Towns Protected by log walls called palisades. Outside walls were large fields of various crops – the Iroquois were farmers. Inside the walls were the longhouses. Size of the Towns 500 – 1300 1300 – 1400 1400 – 1600 250 people 1000 people 2000+ people 8 longhouse 12 big longhouses many longhouses

Longhouses - Could be over 200 feet (70m) in length - Built about a framework covered with elm bark - Extended Family lived in the longhouse - Each Nuclear Family had its own hearth (fire pit) and compartment - Longhouses were managed and controlled by the Clan Mother

Food – Agriculture - Women owned and maintained the fields Food – Agriculture - Women owned and maintained the fields. - Men were responsible for clearing the fields. - Iroquois had 6 agricultural festivals in a year. Crops The “Three Sisters” Corn – around 500 CE Beans – around 1300 to 1400 CE Squash – around 1300 to 1400 CE Later Crops: - Sunflowers - Pumpkins - Tobacco

The Iroquois Confederacy (The League of Five Nations) An Iroquois man named Dekanahwideh created the Iroquois Confederacy in the 1400’s. He brought together five main groups of Iroquois in peace. In the 1700’s another group joined to make it the Confederacy of Six Nations. Each decision made in this confederacy was by consensus A chief would respect a group’s decision. In this kind of political structure, decision making took a long time. Peace was the most important part of the Confederacy.

Iroquois Society Matriarchy – each clan was headed by a Clan Mother. Matrilineal organization women owned the property, and determined kinship - any children became members of mother’s clan Matrilocal – husband went to live with the wife’s family in their longhouse Iroquois Confederation Councilmen were called Sachems or “Peace Chiefs” were selected and could be removed by the Clan Mothers.

Spiritual Needs The Iroquois creator was known as Manitou. Corn was believed to be an important gift of the Iroquois god—Manitou.

Iroquois Men Roles - Clear fields - Build towns - Hunting trips in winter and fishing in spring - Appointed as Sachems (Peace Chiefs) by women - Warriors and War Chiefs Appearance - Warriors wore their hair in a distinctive scalplock Men removed all facial and body hair Tattoos were common (for both sexes)