The Wampanoags in the seventeenth century : $b An ethnohistorical survey — John Shaqi
The Wampanoags in the seventeenth century : $b An ethnohistorical surveyMarten, Catherine
History
The Wampanoags in the seventeenth century : $b An ethnohistorical survey
Marten, Catherine
Indians of North America -- New England -- History -- 17th century; Wampanoag Indians
Inter-tribal justice, as the preceding suggests, was of a dubious
nature. If one tribe were wronged by a member of another, emissaries
were sent to ask for compensation. Whether or not it was given was a
matter up to the tribe of the offender. Satisfaction might involve
taking the offender’s life or the payment of a fine to compensate for
loss through theft or killing. If satisfactory reparations were not
made the offended party usually tried to forcibly take the equivalent
in lives or goods to what had been lost.[423]
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Wampanoag society also had its problems of insanity, widows, orphans,
old people, and poverty. Friends or relatives usually provided for
those in need of care. If they could not, however, it was up to the
sachem to see that the needy were sustained; it is said that no one
in the tribe went unprovided for.[424]
SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
There were three basic divisions within Wampanoag society: (1) the
sachem and members of the “royal family”; (2) ordinary members of
the community; (3) resident non-members (generally captives of war)
who acted as servants.[425] However, within these categories there
was considerable difference in the wealth and importance of members.
There were also statuses within the groupings that carried special
implications, such as warrior, powow, wife of sachem, older man, etc.
There were certain visible signs of social standing in Wampanoag
society. The person of wealth or noble birth wore zoomorphic
tattoos on his face.[426] His house had mats of an especially fine
quality.[427] He wore a lot of wampum and had it woven into caps
and aprons to show his lack of immediate need for this money.[428]
He could have more than one wife.[429] He might have servants
to do household tasks, and his wife could have a nurse for the
children.[430]
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
English observers of the Wampanoags were impressed with the
hospitality the Indians showed toward one another.[431] Any visitor
was provided with a share of whatever food the household had, even
if provisions were low.[432] Regardless of when a guest arrived, the
courteous thing to do was to first offer him food.[433] The guest
was provided with a place to sleep—usually in the family bed. In the
summer the visitor might be provided with a space by having a member
of the household sleep outside.[434]
Hospitality can be linked to a basic cultural pattern of value placed
on, and presumably prestige afforded by, generosity. The practice of
giving away goods in a public display of generosity was previously
discussed. By the same token, ingratitude was accounted the worst
breech of manners. Not only did the donor thus lose his goods, but
also the prestige of being acclaimed a generous man if his sacrifice
was not noted by the proper thanks.[435]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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