Wampanoags History
The Southcoast has a deep history intertwined with the Wampanoags. There's a vast amount of history books written, each with different interpretations, theories, and opinions. Our intent is to highlight some of the history, the good and bad, and how that history relates directly to the Southcoast.
"Wampanoag" : The term "Wampanoag" (pronounced wam-puh-NO-ag), properly spelled Wopânâak, which translates in the English language to mean "People of the dawn" or "People of the first light."
Many people use the word “Indian” to describe them, but they prefer to be called Native People.
The Wampanoag, originally a nation of 69 tribes inhabiting what is now southeastern Massachusetts, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Rhode Island, played a crucial role in the earliest days of contact between Native and European cultures. The Wampanoags provided lifesaving survival skills and assistance to those arriving from Europe and Great Britain in the early 17th century. However, few Americans are fully aware that Native communities still exist. Today, Americans dismiss Native culture as past history. All too often, Native Americans are still mentioned in the past tense in the schools, history classes, books, articles.
Today there are an estimated 12,000 Wampanoag, living mainly in the Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the islands. The few Wampanoag currently living in the Caribbean probably descend from ancestors taken there as slaves.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) c. 1581-1660
The traditional term for a Wampanoag community leader is sachem. The role of the sachem is to provide leadership and facilitate consensus based decision-making. Historically, sachems worked alongside everyone else to provide food and shelter for the community.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) became chief of the Wampanoag Federation sometime between 1605 and 1615. His domain covered a very extensive territory. Massasoit created the first treaty with the English. The terms were simple - Massasoit nor his people shall do no harm to the English, if they did they should be given up to be punished by them; and that if the English did any harm to him or any of his people, the English would do the same. Additionally, if there was an unjustly war against Massasoit, the English were to aid him, and he was to do the same in his turn. As long as he lived there was peace within Plymouth Colony. For the remainder of his life, Massasoit and his people lived peacefully with the new settlers.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) had two (2) siblings, Quadequina (1576-1623) and Akkompoin (1580-1676) and at least one wife. He also had three (3) sons - Wamsutta (1634-1662), Pometacom (1638-1676), Sonkanuhoo (1642-1675) and two (2) daughters, Sarah (x-1676), Mionamie (1623-1676)
Prior to Massasoit's death, he requested the English to give his two sons English names. His older son, Wamsutta, was re-named Alexander. His younger son, Metacomet, was re-named Philip. Wamsutta followed his father as the great sachem when Massasoit died.
After meeting with the English Wamsutta, he became violently ill and perished, leaving his younger brother, Metacomet, to take his place as leader.
Wamsutta 1634-1662 English name Alexander
At the death of Massasoit (Ousamequin) in 1660, Wamsutta, his oldest son, became chief of the Wampanoags. Wamsutta was friendly with the English, however rumors swirled that he was plotting with the Narragansetts against the English. A meeting was held to address these rumors, and a few days later Wamsutta became sick. It 's alleged that his death was caused by the treatment he received at the hands of the English, and that this was one of the causes of King Philip’s War.
Metacom c.1638-1676 English name Philip
Massasoit's son Metacom, after coming of age, married Wootonekanuske, the other daughter of the Pocasset Sachem Corbitant. It is believed they had at least four children together, one son is confirmed, two daughters and another child whose gender is unknown is unconfirmed.
After the death of Wamsutta in July 1662, Metacomet became Chief of the Wampanoags. Metacomet mistrusted the English and believed that sooner or later they would wipe the Indians off the continent. Accordingly, he began preparing for the war, which he thought would occur about 1676. An ambassador from the English was sent to Metacomet, requesting him to sign a treaty and to return all firearms to the English in Taunton. Philip and four (4) of his chief captains signed this treaty, however it was a promise was not fulfilled.
The territory ruled by Metacomet was the greater part of southeastern Massachusetts, including a portion of Rhode Island. This was divided among various sub-chiefs, who held leadership positions over the different local tribes. Metacomet once becoming the leader of the Wampanoags received the English name "King Philip"
"Praying Indians"
After 1640 the Puritans conducted missionary work to convert the native population. Converts were settled in small communities of "Praying Indians". These converts and along with their Puritan version of Christianity were unwelcome. The "Praying Indians" brought mandatory church attendance, clothing and hair changed to proper colonial styles, and even a hint of traditional ceremony and religion was grounds for expulsion. Tribal culture and authority disintegrated in the process.
Massasoit (Ousamequin), although always friendly with the whites, cared nothing for their religion, and was much opposed to its being introduced among his tribes.
The Southcoast has a deep history intertwined with the Wampanoags. There's a vast amount of history books written, each with different interpretations, theories, and opinions. Our intent is to highlight some of the history, the good and bad, and how that history relates directly to the Southcoast.
"Wampanoag" : The term "Wampanoag" (pronounced wam-puh-NO-ag), properly spelled Wopânâak, which translates in the English language to mean "People of the dawn" or "People of the first light."
Many people use the word “Indian” to describe them, but they prefer to be called Native People.
The Wampanoag, originally a nation of 69 tribes inhabiting what is now southeastern Massachusetts, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Rhode Island, played a crucial role in the earliest days of contact between Native and European cultures. The Wampanoags provided lifesaving survival skills and assistance to those arriving from Europe and Great Britain in the early 17th century. However, few Americans are fully aware that Native communities still exist. Today, Americans dismiss Native culture as past history. All too often, Native Americans are still mentioned in the past tense in the schools, history classes, books, articles.
Today there are an estimated 12,000 Wampanoag, living mainly in the Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the islands. The few Wampanoag currently living in the Caribbean probably descend from ancestors taken there as slaves.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) c. 1581-1660
The traditional term for a Wampanoag community leader is sachem. The role of the sachem is to provide leadership and facilitate consensus based decision-making. Historically, sachems worked alongside everyone else to provide food and shelter for the community.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) became chief of the Wampanoag Federation sometime between 1605 and 1615. His domain covered a very extensive territory. Massasoit created the first treaty with the English. The terms were simple - Massasoit nor his people shall do no harm to the English, if they did they should be given up to be punished by them; and that if the English did any harm to him or any of his people, the English would do the same. Additionally, if there was an unjustly war against Massasoit, the English were to aid him, and he was to do the same in his turn. As long as he lived there was peace within Plymouth Colony. For the remainder of his life, Massasoit and his people lived peacefully with the new settlers.
Massasoit (Ousamequin) had two (2) siblings, Quadequina (1576-1623) and Akkompoin (1580-1676) and at least one wife. He also had three (3) sons - Wamsutta (1634-1662), Pometacom (1638-1676), Sonkanuhoo (1642-1675) and two (2) daughters, Sarah (x-1676), Mionamie (1623-1676)
Prior to Massasoit's death, he requested the English to give his two sons English names. His older son, Wamsutta, was re-named Alexander. His younger son, Metacomet, was re-named Philip. Wamsutta followed his father as the great sachem when Massasoit died.
After meeting with the English Wamsutta, he became violently ill and perished, leaving his younger brother, Metacomet, to take his place as leader.
Wamsutta 1634-1662 English name Alexander
At the death of Massasoit (Ousamequin) in 1660, Wamsutta, his oldest son, became chief of the Wampanoags. Wamsutta was friendly with the English, however rumors swirled that he was plotting with the Narragansetts against the English. A meeting was held to address these rumors, and a few days later Wamsutta became sick. It 's alleged that his death was caused by the treatment he received at the hands of the English, and that this was one of the causes of King Philip’s War.
Metacom c.1638-1676 English name Philip
Massasoit's son Metacom, after coming of age, married Wootonekanuske, the other daughter of the Pocasset Sachem Corbitant. It is believed they had at least four children together, one son is confirmed, two daughters and another child whose gender is unknown is unconfirmed.
After the death of Wamsutta in July 1662, Metacomet became Chief of the Wampanoags. Metacomet mistrusted the English and believed that sooner or later they would wipe the Indians off the continent. Accordingly, he began preparing for the war, which he thought would occur about 1676. An ambassador from the English was sent to Metacomet, requesting him to sign a treaty and to return all firearms to the English in Taunton. Philip and four (4) of his chief captains signed this treaty, however it was a promise was not fulfilled.
The territory ruled by Metacomet was the greater part of southeastern Massachusetts, including a portion of Rhode Island. This was divided among various sub-chiefs, who held leadership positions over the different local tribes. Metacomet once becoming the leader of the Wampanoags received the English name "King Philip"
"Praying Indians"
After 1640 the Puritans conducted missionary work to convert the native population. Converts were settled in small communities of "Praying Indians". These converts and along with their Puritan version of Christianity were unwelcome. The "Praying Indians" brought mandatory church attendance, clothing and hair changed to proper colonial styles, and even a hint of traditional ceremony and religion was grounds for expulsion. Tribal culture and authority disintegrated in the process.
Massasoit (Ousamequin), although always friendly with the whites, cared nothing for their religion, and was much opposed to its being introduced among his tribes.