The Wampanoag, also known as the Pokanoket, lived on the southeastern Massachusetts coast when the Plymouth colonists arrived from England in the 17th century. The Native American tribe also lived in eastern Rhode Island and on nearby islands. Their name meant “people of the east.” Society and cultureThe Wampanoag built villages of wigwams, which were dome-shaped houses made from a pole frame covered with bark. Several families lived in each wigwam. Near the villages were fields in which women grew corn (maize), beans, and squash. They were also responsible for making blankets and clothing. Wampanoag men hunted and fished. They stalked deer, beaver, squirrels, and other wild animals. They caught fish in the ocean and collected shellfish along the shore. Occasionally, the Wampanoag had an unexpected feast after a whale washed onto the beach. The Wampanoag were divided into several smaller bands. Each was ruled by a sachem, or chief, who was aided by a council of wise men. The tribe as a whole was governed by a grand sachem, who earned his position by winning the confidence of his people. HistoryThe Wampanoag were the first Native Americans to deal with the English settlers known as the Pilgrims. When these newcomers established their Plymouth Colony in 1620, they were welcomed in the English language by a Wampanoag man named Squanto, who had been taken to Europe against his will several years before. Relationship with the PilgrimsSquanto and the Wampanoag showed the Pilgrims the skills they needed to survive in their new home. The grand sachem of the Wampanoag was called Massasoit. Massasoit agreed to a treaty that maintained peace with the Pilgrims for the next 40 years. In December of 1621, the Pilgrims repaid Massasoit's friendship by inviting him and his people to a feast that is now remembered as the first Thanksgiving. Massasoit died in 1660. By that time, the relationship between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims had begun to turn sour. The Pilgrims and other settlers angered the Wampanoag by taking over their lands without payment. They also treated Massasoit's sons with disrespect. King Philip's WarOne of the sons was Wamsutta, who died after visiting an English settlement. His brother Metacom (called King Philip by the English) became the new sachem and vowed to take revenge on the English. The opportunity came after three Wampanoag men were executed by the Plymouth authorities. Metacom made an alliance with the Narraganset, the Nipmuc, and other tribes, and then began what became known as King Philip's War (1675–76). After much hard fighting, and a decisive English victory in a battle called the Great Swamp Fight, the war ended with Metacom's death. Wampanoag todayThe Wampanoag survivors fled their lands. Some traveled to the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Their numbers were further reduced by deadly diseases such as smallpox that were introduced to the region by the English. Despite the devastation of war, disease, and poverty, the Wampanoag people have survived. By the end of the 20th century, there were about 2,000 Wampanoag in the United States. Most live in two communities: Mashpee on Cape Cod and Gay Head on Martha's Vineyard. The Mashpee Wampanoag hold an annual powwow on the Fourth of July. The Gay Head Wampanoag celebrate Cranberry Day in October and Indian Day in August. |