Iroquois

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

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