iroquois. settings/location/physical geography since 1200 quebec, ontario, new york, st. lawrence...
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Settings/location/Physical Geography
Since 1200Quebec, Ontario, new York, St. Lawrence
riverFertile land, lakes, rivers, flat plains, rolling
hills, dry grasslands, steep cliffs, deep river valleys
Northwest region= rocky and roughEastern region =forest rangeSouthern region= very dry
Climate
Harsh winters/summersBlizzards, stormsGenerally moist weather because of great
lakesWinter can go to -30’c w/ 80cm snowCan receive 100cm of rain each year, high
humidity in summer
Language
Used to be 5 different nations/language 6th nation/language join at early 1700’sMohawk-official languageThe languages, Seneca & Oneida are very
endangered(mostly gone)The languages, Cayuga & Onondaga are
fading(still some around, but not much)The language, Tuscarora(the 6th one) is very
endangered(mostly gone)
Daily Life
HuntFish FarmClothingTransportation trade/economy
Hunting
Hunting was done by menBows and arrows and spearsBlack bear, elk, wolves, deer's, rabbitsTrap wild turkeys, ducks, etcAlso hunted turtles for meat/ shellThe Iroquois didn’t waste any parts of
animal(ate meat, make tools out of bones, etc)
Cooked by women & shared with whole village
Fishing
At the end of winter, spring(fishing season)Done by menUsed huge nets to catch fishIf the tribe was desperate for food, men went
out at night with torches(light attracted fish)If they catch fish, everyone in the village
helped drying the fish over fires
Farming
The Iroquois mainly relied on farming for food.
The people called corn, squash, beans “the three sisters”
Men clear field while women plant seedsOne of the first to tap Maple trees for Maple
syrupLoved Maple sugar in foods. E.g. heated nuts
rolled in maple sugar
Gathering
Done by women and children Wild nuts, fruits, veggies, mushrooms,
eggs(birds/turtles)Stuff from gathering were eaten when they
were short on meat/ harvest(corn/squash/bean)
Sunflower- sunflower oils-fry food, treat wounds, body lotion(protect from heat/cold)
Storing
Iroquois were really good at storing foodMeat/fish smoked at home(has fire at the
center, has chimneys)Veggies/beans dried, kept in dark containers
w/thick lidsDried food in clay pots buried in bark lined(to
keep away mice) storage pits in/near homeCorn, squash braided and hung from ceiling
Shelter
Primarily lived in Longhouses and hutsThe houses had Chimneys and fire at the
centre
Clothing
Very unique even among other tribesUse furs from animals-hides of elk, deer, etc(winter)Wove plant an tree fiber or no shirt(summer)Both protection and decorative purposesUsually decorated with Iroquoian symbols/clan animal
sometimes flowers/leaves/vines(materials usually porcupine quills/wampum or glass beads)
Different for women & men except for moccasins(shoes)HeaddressesSashBreech clothsLeggingsDresses
Transportation
Something simple and quickUsually prefer land-travelSnowshoes, sleds(pulled by dogs until
Europeans came w/horses) b/c lots of snowCanoes usually dugout canoes(elm bark) also
for fishing
Trade/Economy
Beaver pelts(valuable) helped a lot to open trade for Iroquois. As they traded beaver pelts with Europe, Trade got stronger. Earned money and economic power
Clay pipes- imp. Trade item. Reached native groups all along east coast of north America
But not for furs(what the Europeans wanted for trade) so got jealous of the groups who had furs and fought them for what they traded with the Europeans.(The Mohawks wiped out the St. Lawrence Iroquoians who spoke laurentian languages. They were a branch of Iroquoian family)
Early days of fur trade- very imp. Middle man between Europe and northern forest tribes
Culture
DanceMusicBeliefs and ceremoniesBurial practices
Dance
Encourage everyone to dance the traditional dances of the Earth Songs. Each song varies in speed and complexity, but all dances are performed in a counter-clockwise direction.
There are instruments, but rely mostly on the dancers feet stomping on the ground in unison. These foot beats are divided in three categories: Stomp, side step shuffle, Fish
Stomp - the feet shuffle across the floor with the right foot in the lead. The left foot is brought up to rejoin the right as the dancer moves across the floor, and the feet hit the floor hard enough to help carry the beat of the music to all dancers.
Side-Step Shuffle - this foot shuffle and stomp is performed only by female dancers. The women alternate shuffling their right and left feet across the ground.
Fish - The fish dance step involves each foot hitting multiple beats. Instead of alternating feet, the right foot may stomp two or three times to the music before switching weight to the left foot.
All dances tell stories related to their title. Rabbit dance legend is one of the most legendary
Music
Instruments- water drum, horn rattle, hard sticks, flutes
Flutes-used to woo women. Men would play flute music outside of the women’s longhouse at night to show her that he was thinking about her.
Most music's are very rhythmic and consists mostly of drumming and lively singing
Beliefs and Ceremonies
Centered on an omniscient “Great Spirit” who they believe is their creator
Many Iroquois are ChristiansThey believed humans can indirectly communicate
with the great spirit by burning tobaccoDreams are regarded as important supernatural
signs which express the desire of soulSix major ceremonies(Maple, Planting, Strawberry,
Green corn, Harvest, Mid winter or New years Festival) during the year thanking the Gods for their harvests
Believed in afterlife and joining the “Great Spirit”
Burial Practices
Related closely to their beliefs. Going back to the sky world to join the Great SpiritDeath is taken by “the faceless one”When someone dies-returned home to be cleaned,
washed, dressed and dressed in traditional clothes. Funeral at longhouse. Family remain with body until burial. A speech made by chief at bedside to release spirit from duties on Earth, and to provide sanction for them to move on to the sky world. Burn tobacco, release spirit.
10 days duration
Social and political structure
Family and social organizationGovernmentwarfare
Family and Social Organization
Chief at top(elected democratically).Wisest female from the clan. Not allowed to marry from the same clans to keep blood line diverse (is allowed in other tribes)
Women in charge, not menChief is woman, child belong to wife, women
take care of house while men hunted, built, and fished. Husband has no power over wife/child
Large families turn into clansSubdivided families
Government
Female chief heads every leagueFormed leagues to have peace with
neighbors, to have peace with trade, allies at war
League are like colonies Have a great council similar to parliament in
Canada. Democratic, made laws, dealt with all problems
Harsh punishments e.g.. Death to murderers. Repeating offenders are banished
Warfare
Weapons(vary by tribe)-hide shields, flint knives, tomahawks/axes, ball head war club, bow/arrow, spears
Had many wars with neighboring colonies to gain power over resources
Allowed war captives into the tribe. Many of them were captured
1609 war against the French and neighboring tribes because of lack of fur for fur trade
THANK YOU
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