The Mohawk tribe, originally known as Kanien’kehake, was one of the five founding tribes of the Iroquois League. Most Mohawks live in Ontario and Quebec, with some in New York. They speak English but have a complex Mohawk language. Mohawk women were in charge of property, household, and agriculture, while men made military and trade decisions. Longhouses were the most common type of house. The name Mohawk was given by the Algonquin people, and the tribe is referenced in pop culture.
One of the five founding tribes of the Iroquois League, the Mohawk tribe was originally known as the Kanien’kehake. This translates to “people of the flint”. Native Americans from New York State, most Mohawks moved to Canada in the 1700s.
Most members of the Mohawk tribe live in Ontario and Quebec. The areas in which they live are known as the four first nations. A reservation is located partially in the United States. Tribes are governed by their own council rather than Canada or the United States. Other members of the Mohawk tribe continue to live in New York.
Modern Mohawk Native Americans speak English. Their native Mohawk language is a complex system. It is made up of many different sounds that are not used in the English language, and is therefore considered difficult to learn. While the Mohawk tribe was governed by the Iroquois Grand Council, individual clans were managed by members of the tribal council appointed by the tribal matriarchs.
The Mohawk tribes had a say in the Grand Council, with nine chiefs serving as representatives. Although the chiefs were exclusively men, only women could elect them. In addition to ruling the Mohawk clans, Mohawk women were in charge of property, household, and agriculture. Mohawk leaders, however, were men and made military and trade decisions. Men were also responsible for hunting.
In terms of other responsibilities, members of Mohawk Native American tribes typically shared their roles. Men and women could both heal with medicine, tell stories and perform music. Babies were usually carried by their mothers in cradles, which were perched on their mothers’ backs. The children had their own homework or chores to do, although they also enjoyed playing corn husk dolls, darts, and other games.
Longhouses were the most common type of house in which the tribe lived. These were large wooden buildings with elm bark sheets used as walls. An entire Mohawk clan often lived in a single longhouse, which could stretch up to 100 yards in length.
The name Mohawk was given to the tribe by the Algonquin people. Mohawk translates to man-eaters. It remains unknown whether the name was literal, a symbolic display of the tribe’s ferocity, or an insult. While some Mohawks believe their tribe never consumed people, others cite legends in which their ancestors ate the enemies they killed in battle.
Many people may be familiar with the Mohawk tribe due to several pop culture references. The tribe is mentioned in the 1826 novel, The Last of the Mohicans, by author James Fenimore Cooper. A hairstyle known as the Mohawk is named after the tribe. It features a high streak of hair down the center of the head with shaved sides and is popular with many young men. Some famous Mohawk personalities include singer Jace Martin, writer Pauline Johnson, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, wrestler Billy Two Rivers, and singer Robbie Robertson.
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