by Rachel Jonitis

Created on: September 10, 2010   Last Updated: September 11, 2010

In the 1500s British trade vessels were the first to encounter the Wampanoag people as they roamed the North Eastern coastline looking for trade opportunities.  By all accounts, the majority of these encounters remained peaceful and friendly, until 1614 when Captain Thomas Hunt found the Wampanoag in what is present day Massachusetts.  Hunt took several natives and slaves and brought them back to Spain on his return voyage, one of which was the later famous Squanto(Tisquantum), who although didn’t make it back to Massachusetts until years later, would be instrumental in helping the pilgrims survive in their new found home.

In 1616, John Smith wrongly referred to the entire Wampanoag nation as Pakanoket (one of the many tribes that make up the Wampanoag) and this name was continually used throughout early records and reports from that period. “Wampanoos,” the first word closely related to their actual name, was seen on Adrian Blocks 1614 map, and was an early European representation of Wampanoag land. However, while they are called by one collective name, many different tribes make up the Wampanoag and although their tribal names differed, they all spoke the same Massachuset-Wampanoag language, a language belonging to the Algonquin family. The Aquinnah, Chappaquiddick, Nantucket, Nauset, Mashpee, Patuxet, Pakanoket, Pocasset, and Assonet, along with around 50 other smaller tribes ranged throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the outer islands.                

Each tribe had authority over their own land, which was distinctly designated because of the thick population of southern New England. Their livelihood depended on the seasons, and during the summer their villages were mainly along the coast, were they planted and took advantage of the fishing and abundant seafood they would harvest from the sea. After their harvest they would move farther inland to set up hunting camps consisting of their extended family for the winter. Wampanoag men and women filled traditional roles, and young boys were taught to hunt, and to survive in the harsh conditions of the woods, whereas the young girls were taught to plant and harvest, as women were responsible for nearly 75% of food production, as they not only planted but also gathered wild fruits, nuts and other edibles. The tribes lived in small villages that consisted of small round houses called Wetus, and each village was built around a central

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>