Council Rock School District



Lenni Lenape Village Research Project 2014TreesWhite Spruce, 45 to 75 ft. How this tree was used: Musical instruments, paddles, medicine, shelter and fuel. Medicine was made from the bark and resins (which is the sap). LeahRed Buckeye, 20 to 30 ft. A soap substitute was made from its gummy roots. Medicine was made from its bark. They used the crushed braches to drug fish so that they were easier to catch. The wood of the tree was used to make furniture, crates and pallets. Because it was lighter than other trees, it was used for carving, whittling, making utensils and for making strips to be used in creating hats and baskets. Sam Shagbark Hickory, 60 to 80 ft. This tree has edible nuts in early autumn. These pounded nut meats were boiled slowly and the resulting oil was skimmed from the surface of the water and used as a butter. For technology, they used wooden strips for lashing bows and for frames when making birch bark canoes. The bark was used to make rattles. Medicine was made from inhaling the fumes of fresh Hickory shoots heated on hot stones AndrewAmerican Pussy Willow, (Salix discolor) 2 to 20 ft. The bark was a highly valued medicine used to cure headaches, fever, arthritis, rheumatism, internal body aches and external swellings. It contains salicin which the Lenape used as a painkiller. Parts of the Pussy Willow were used to build Sweat Lodges. The Lenape may have used the bendy branches to weave cradle boards, house mats, sleeping platforms and baskets. MiraWhite Oak up to 100 ft. They ate the acorns raw. These acorns were less bitter than those from the Red Oak tree. The bark was boiled to make medicine used for fevers, vomiting and to treat infections. The wood is hard and it doesn’t rot. Handles, spears and traps were made from this wood. TristinOsage Orange 30- 35 ft. The fruit on the Osage Orange is not edible, but the seeds are. The seeds taste like sunflower seeds. The bark was used for making dye. GavinRed Oak 100 feet tall, 80 feet wide The nut meat could be ground for use in grits or meal, or pounded into paste. It was also used to treat coughs, mouth sores, diarrhea, chapped skin, fevers, toothaches, and sore throats. The inner bark was made into tea to relieve the symptoms of heart problems. The outer bark was used to make canoes and baskets because it is very strong. The wood was carved to make awls, corn pounding mortars and lots of other tools. EmmaSassafras 75 ft. The root bark was used to cure intestinal tract disorders, swelling in the nose, eyes & throat, bronchitis, high blood pressure in older people, gout, arthritis, skin problems, achy joints, and cancer. It was also used for sprains & insect bites. The oil is used to put on the skin to kill germs and head lice. It could be drunk as a helpful tonic which was used to cure many diseases. However, it was a little poisonous so it could sometimes cause problems too. When the roots were twisted, they smelled like root beer and were used as a flavoring. The leaves tasted sweet when crushed. KieraSugar Maple 60-80 ft. It was used for its hard wood. The Delaware call it Achantuimunschi. They tapped the tree when the sap ran from February to March. They used the syrup in their household for cooking. They used it to form cakes. MatthewEastern White Pine 75 to 100 ft. The Native Americans buried their weapons under these trees. They started fires with the pine needles because they burned quickly. The oil was used to heal burns, swelling and wounds. It was also used to help rheumatism, itch, and as a laxative. KatieApple Tree – Up to 30 ft. It has white flowers in the spring that turn into apples in the fall. The fruit of these trees is used to make many types of food to eat, like applesauce. The fruit was also made into a drink. MaddiePaper Birch 50 to 75 ft. It was used for canoes, shelters, containers, wigwams, musical instruments and to build fires. It was the only type of Birch tree that could be used to make these things, except for fire. Almost everything was made from the bark which was best from the spring through June. The stitched pieces of bark together using basswood, dog bone cord and thin strips of inner Cedar bark. The bark is white with black marks on it. VictorGingko It grows up to 120 ft. The leaf was used as a cure for thinking problems because it improves circulation. The wood is very hard. GriffinAmerican Sycamore 100 ft. and up, It symbolizes strength, eternity and divinity. Its bark is very tough so the Native Americans often used it for canoes. They used its bark and leaves to make medicine for poison ivy. It stopped it from spreading and relieved the itching. The wood of the tree is softer than other trees so it was used for target practice with bows and arrows. VinayAmerican Chestnut 98 ft. with large, widely spaced saw-teeth on the edges of its leaves. The Native Americans ate the chestnuts. They were also used to make medicine to cure coughs, relieve sore throats, to aid with arthritis, or to soothe swelled body parts. IanElm – 80 to 100 ft. It was seen as a symbol of friendship by the Lenape. It was called the tree of respect and care. Some parts of the tree could heal them. The inner bark and leaves were used as medicine to cure severe coughs, sore throats, arthritis, bronchitis & other respiratory irritations, allergic reactions, gout, toothaches, spider bites, washes for skin conditions, wounds & burns, liver disease, heartburn, diarrhea, intestinal worms, ulcers, stomach aches & digestive disorders. The inner bark fibers were also used for thread, bow strings, ropes and clothing. Tea could be made from the leaves and the seeds could be eaten. The wood was used for furniture. GraceBlack Walnut 50 – 100 ft. They used the Black Walnut tree in many ways. For food, they either ate them alone or put them into different dishes as a flavoring extract. The nuts were mashed and stirred with juice to create a drink. Dark brown to black dye was made from the husk by older males to cover gray hair. Medicine was made from juice that was found in the outer green husks. Antiseptic ointment and parasite preventatives were used to help humans and animals. A tonic was extracted from the bark and provided relief from inflammation in the body. JessicaWater Fresh water is used in many ways. It is used to drink when you get thirsty. It helps the Lenape cool off as the water ran through their veins and it helps them live. It’s fun to swim in and it is good for bathing. The water helps them travel. Canoes travel swiftly down rivers or through lakes. The Native Americans cook with it and put it in many different foods such as stew. Most longhouses are built fairly close to large bodies of fresh water. The rivers are good places to get lots of plants and animals such as fish, clams or turtles. The clams found in the water can be used to make Wampum which has many uses. EmmaFire – The men made the fire. They made it in three ways: 1) rubbing a stick against a block of wood 2) spinning a thick, smooth stick in a small hole in a block of wood or 3) using a small bow, called a fire bow, and wrapping string around a short thick piece of wood, then inserting it in a wide hole in a block of wood, putting a stone on top of the stick to stabilize it, and then moving the bow back and forth. They had stones around the fire to keep it in place. They would also place some kind of “dough” on the stones that would heat it like a microwave. Sticks were placed in a dome around the fire for cooking. At ceremonies, they would often dance around the fire. AndrewAnimalsThe Great Blue Heron – It was considered to be a symbol of good luck, patience and wisdom. It brought messages of self-determination and self-reliance. It was apparently clever and intelligent too. It represented an ability to progress and evolve. The long, thin legs reflect that an individual doesn’t need great massive pillars to be stable, but should be able to stand on one’s own. The Herons were killed with bows and arrows. The feathered wings were used for fans and brooms. MiraThe Canada Goose – has a black bill, head and neck. The body is brown. Along with turkeys, they are the largest game bird. They nest is made of cattails. JessicaWhite-Tailed Deer – It was used by Eastern Woodland Indians for many things. The most important were meat and clothing such as hats, skirts, and leggings. The skin was dried then smothered in brains. Other parts such as the flesh, bones, sinews, hide and teeth were also used. These were made into necklaces, bracelets, thread, knives, hoes, ladles, diapers, blankets, needles, pouches, and cordage. KieraElk – Height: 4 to 5 ft., Weight: 325 to 1,100 lbs. The Lenni Lenape called the Elk “wapiti”, meaning “white rump”. Men hunted the elk with bows & arrows, spears and traps. They would skin the elks, and part of it would be used for an evening meal. The rest would be dried on long racks. The elk was used in many ways: Muscles – meat, jerky; Hide – ropes, tipi covers, clothing, blankets, mats, boats, sandals; Antlers – spear points, digging tools, hooks, chisels, spoons, rattles; Bones – digging sticks, needles, arrow points, cup handles; Teeth – jewelry, gambling counters, decoration; Tongue, Kidneys, Brain, Eyes, Heart, Liver, Lungs, Intestines – food, Blood – broth & stew; Sinew – bow strings, thread, snares; Tail hair – embroidery & ornaments; Claws – rattles; Hooves – Glue; Stomach & Bladder – bags; Fat – Food & Salve; Bone Marrow – Food & Grease. For pleasure, they used the teeth for necklaces and decorating clothing. Black Bear – The bear was respected and admired because of its strength and courage. It could reach heights of 3.5 feet while walking on all fours, 6 to 7 feet when standing on its hind legs, and weighed from 150 to 600 lbs. It was hunted for its meat and especially for its fat which they preserved. Bear meat was good to eat, and the bear fat was melted purified, and stored in skin bags. Winter robes and moccasins were made from bear guts as well as sinew, and rawhide. Bear pelts were used for fur caps. The Lenape rubbed a little bear’s grease on their skin to keep it soft, to help keep insects away in the summer time, and to protect the skin in cold weather. Bear hide was applied to hair and mixed with paint. Bear claws were highly prized. Some clans had the bear as their totem and would not kill it. There were various ways to hunt bear including poisoning, shooting, stabbing and in traps. GraceEagles & Hawks – The Lenape hunted these powerful fighting birds for their wing and tail feathers. The feathers were worn in their hair and some men made ceremonial hats from head and neck feathers. Eagle feathers adorned the headdresses of many tribes’ warriors as a symbol of their accomplishment in battle. They wore different amounts of feathers in their headdresses. For example, the headdress of an Indian chief would contain more feathers than anyone else’s did in the tribe. The tail feathers of an eagle would have equaled a pony in trade among the tribes. In most native cultures, eagles are considered medicine birds with impressive magical powers. They played a major role in the religious ceremonies of many tribes. The Eagle Dance was one of the most important dances held by some tribes. The hawk symbol is believed to represent a bringer of messages and warnings of change. The hawk was the guardian and protector of mother earth. The hawk was believed to be in a continuous fight, protecting people from evil spirits of the air. It is closely associated with forces such as rain, wind, thunder and lightning and they are sometimes referred to as “Thunderers”. The feathers of Red-tailed hawks are considered sacred and are also used in ceremonies and rituals, like the eagle feathers. They are also adorned in headdresses and other things. The hawk spirit animal, or totem, has many meanings: * Hawk is the messenger of the spirit world * Uses the power of focus * takes the lead when time is right * power to see, clear vision * strong connection with spirit, increased spiritual awareness. JessicaTurkey – was a favorite game bird. The meat was good to eat and women liked to make colorful robes and mantles with the turkey breast feathers. They tied the turkey feathers onto hand-made net backing that was then fastened to a skin cloak worn over the shoulders. KieraDucks – The Lenape ate duck meat and eggs. They used the feathers on their arrows. The Native Americans thought the duck was graceful on water and that it saw clearly through emotions and was a spirit.Turtles – were eaten for their meat. Turtle shells were used to make ladles, spoons, cups and dishes. Turtle rattles were used for dances and religious ceremonies. Dried beans or pebbles were put inside two hollowed out Box Turtle shells to make the rattle. Lenape clans were often named after turtles. Katie Rabbits – were used for carrying things and putting things that you owned bundled up in the skins. They were also used for baby clothes and killed for the meat. The “rabbit dance” was popular with the Native Americans. Two hunters were hunting for the tribe. They saw a huge rabbit! It thumped its leg and the normal sized rabbits started doing it too. The hunters showed the elders what the rabbits did. They said it was a dance to show the rabbits respect and appreciation for what they gave to us. They named the dance, the rabbit dance. KieraBeaver – Before the Europeans arrived, the species was plentiful. Beaver fur is thick and considered valuable; untanned pelts could be traded for many things. The skins were used as decoration on clothes. Both male and female beavers possess musk sacs which produce an oily, heavy scented substance called “castereum”. This oil could be used to make medicines and perfumes. It could also be used as bait in traps. The oil could be used to repel water. IanGardeningThe Lenape planted in spring and early summer. The women grew sunflowers, melons, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, corn, beans, and squash. Corn, beans and squash were known as the “three sisters”. They protected each other and helped each other. The beans put nitrogen in the soil for the corn and squash. The squash shaded the plants and protected it from animals. It wound around the clumps of corn and beans. Corn was called maize or xas-kweem and was their main source of food because it could be stored during the winter and could be ground into flour. It was blue, red, white or gold. Corn could be stored in woven baskets or simply tied in bundles and hung from the house rafters to dry in the heat and smoke of the cooking fires. Dried corn kernels and shelled beans could also be stored in skin bags or baskets. As long as the food was kept dry, it would not spoil. Pumpkins and squash were cut into rings which were placed on sticks and dried in the sun or over the smoke of a fire. During the growing season, vegetables were harvested as soon as they were ripe and eaten fresh. However, much of the harvest had to be stored away for the lean months of winter. The husks were used for crafts and the cob was used for fire fuel. Every three feet they made holes and put fish in them as fertilizer. The children pulled weeds and shooed away birds. The men planted tobacco. Seeds were planted in a mound of dirt. SamTools – were made from wood, shells and bones. Sticks were tied to bones or clams with sinews. They were used to break up the soil. The Lenape used sticks to dig holes for the seeds. They made hoes by tying bones or clam shells with sinews. They made rakes in a similar way, but they tied deer antlers to the end instead. Tongs were used for picking fruit and harvesting. They were made by splitting a stick vertically down its shaft. They pinched the two sides together to use them. They also used animal shoulder blades and tied them to wooden sticks or used their hands. SamGatheringCattails and Water Lilies – Roots of Cattail and Water Lily plants were eaten. The Native Americans used both of these for flour, headpieces, making dolls and for arts and crafts. To make flour, they would grind up the roots and dry them on a rock. For dolls, they would braid three pieces of the cattail stalk to make a body, with a knot at the top for a head. They would tie on arms and dress accessories. For headpieces, they would make a simple circle and tie on separate pieces for decorations. Feathers and beads were also added. Other arts and crafts made from these resources included ceremonial decorations and woven mats, along with other weaving projects. Medicine was also made from cattails. EmmaMaple Syrup – was usually gathered in the spring time because the sap was sweeter. The Lenape went on camping trips to gather it. They drilled into the tree with curved branches. When the sap came out of the tree, it would “run” down into a bucket or basket. This was hung by a little wood pole. The storage containers were shaped like a boat. Afterwards, the sap was boiled in an elm bark pot. Once it was in the pot, they stirred it with a stick. The maple syrup was used to flavor many things. Matthew Choke cherries were dark, red or black fruit that was bitter tasting. They would pucker the mouth. They came from a shrub or tree with narrow clusters of small white flowers. The berries might have been used for medicine since it is known to clear mucus and constrict the skin. Mira Wild rice grew wherever freshwater was still and shallow. To get ahead of thje birds and to make sure it wouldn’t shatter itself and get lost, it was gathered right before it fully ripened. Often only the flowering head of the rice was seen about the water. It is also called a grain, a grass or a water oat. MiraWomen and children went into fields and forests to gather plants, roots, berries, fruits, mushrooms and nuts. Most of this food was eaten as soon as it was ripe. Sometimes there was so much plant food that the surplus could be dried and stored for the winter time. In the spring, there were wild strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. The roots of cattail plants and water lilies were eaten and persimmons, cranberries and wild plums were also gathered. Nuts were one of the most important gathered foods. They were gathered in October and November. These were stored in large baskets and skin bags because that way they didn’t spoil and they could be eaten all winter long. Oak trees supplied the Indians with many acorns, but they had a bitter taste. The women discovered that they could remove this taste by crushing these nuts in a wooden mortar and rinsing them in hot water. These leached acorns could then be cooked into a porridge or pounded into a flour to make bread. Cooking oil was made from nuts that were crushed and cooked in boiling water. The nut oil floated to the top of the water where it was scooped off with spoons or ladles made from turtle shells or clam shells. The nut oil was stored in gourd bottles or clay pots until needed. The Lenape utilized about 370 native plants. They were used for medicinal, ceremonial, smoking, dyeing, or other utilitarian purposes. AndrewFishingThe Lenape used plant fibers and the bark of the White Cedar tree to make traps, lassos, and weirs (nets). One of the traps was a big basket that had big openings that allowed fish to swim in, but a smaller opening at the end that the fish got stuck in and were not able to get out. Some fish that they caught this way were Salmon, Bass and Trout. Another important fish was the Sturgeon (they could be up to 14 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds, and were bluish-black or olive brown with paler sides and a white belly). Sturgeons provided meat, oil, leather and caviar. Natives used all of it except for the caviar. These were the eggs which they left alone so that there would be more fish when they needed them. These were caught with spears and clubs. The meat of the fish was very important to the Native Americans. To fish at night. The Lenape used bows and arrows and spears. They had a birch bark torchlight in front of the canoe. This was used to attract the fish. When the fish came close to the canoe, the Indians either speared or shot the fish with an arrow. They let the fish die or settle down before bringing into the canoe. They did the same with the bows and arrows, but had a string on the arrow so they could bring the fish in. VictorHomesLonghouse – could hold an entire clan. They were 200 feet long, 20 feet wide and 20 feet high. Inside there would sometimes be a raised area for a second story which could be used as a sleeping space. They were built along the shores of rivers and streams so that people would have a fresh supply of water. They were arranged in random patterns to prevent the spread of fires. They were made from saplings and reeds. The entrance flap was made of deer or elk hides. They cooked inside and made pots that were so big that sometimes the potter needed to jump inside to finish them. VinayWigwams – The Indian tribes used the word wigwam which means house. Wigwams were small houses, usually 8-10 feet. They provided warm shelter. One or two families of parents, kids and even grandparents might live in one. They were covered with woven mats, branches, and sheets of Birch bark. The frame was shaped like a dome. Saplings that were opposite each other, were bent over and tied together to make an arch. The wooden frames were very important because they held up sheets of bark. A door way was left open on one side. Sometimes they had 2 doors, one on each end. A little space was left under the door flap. Small holes were at the top of the wigwam that were used for letting out smoke from a fire in the larger ones. Wigwams were sturdy structures that could last through tough weather, and most were waterproof. Summer wigwams did not have to be as sturdy as the winter ones. The Lenape did not have nails so they used tough strips of bark. A wigwam is not a tipi. The wigwam was not able to be transported like the tipi. The Lenni Lenape used Elm and Chestnut bark or reeds and mats. The women tried to make the inside of the wigwam very decorative. They were usually built near a stream, river, bay or lake. People think that the first wigwam was made in about 1628. GavinSweat Lodges – The Lenape took steam baths in sweat lodges. These were small huts that were only large enough for one or two people to sit. Very hot stones, heated in an outdoor fire, were placed in a sweat lodge. When water was poured on the hot stone they turned into steam. This caused the Native Americans to sweat. After about fifteen or thirty minutes in the sweat lodge, they ran into a nearby river or lake. This washed off the sweat and closed their pores. When they came out, the Lenape got wrapped in a blanket and sat near a fire to dry and warm up. These special “baths” were also used to help cure colds and other sicknesses. There were sweat lodges at each end of the village, one for men and boys, and one for women and girls. In the winter, they would roll in snow instead of jumping in a stream or lake, for those would be frozen. Sweat baths were also believed to be spiritual. Before hunts, the hunter would pray and worship in a sweat lodge while taking a sweat bath. Before entering sweat lodges, they were smudged with sage, sweet grass or cedar smoke toward ritual cleanliness. They were made with Birch bark. Sweat lodges are still made today. AndrewCooking, Drying & Storing foodDrying racks were used for drying food so that it would last longer. They were made of sticks and hung with lots of meat. Baskets were made into many shapes and sizes. They were used in gathering food and for storage. Storage pits were dug into the ground and the earthen floors of the longhouses. These were lined with bark and filled with dried corn, meat or valuables. Some storage pits were filled with dry food. Leah & KatieBottle shaped pots were used for carrying water and flat tray pots were used to hold the evening meal. Pots were also used for storing food and medicines. They were used as tote bags, cupboards and for cooking. Baskets were lightweight and could take bashing without breaking. There were storage baskets so big the maker had to hop inside to finish them off. VinayThe Lenape used clay to cover fish, fowl and rabbits. The clay was well worked and spread with two fingers, with care being taken that no part of the creature, even a bit of hair, stuck out. These were baked in hot ashes. Fish were not scaled, birds were not plucked, except for the larger feathers. However, their head and wings were removed. Pumpkin rings sat on sticks and were dried in the sun. As long as the food was dry, it would not spoil. When women wanted to took dried food, they would cook it in water to soften it. Corn could be found in blue, red, white, yellow, multicolored and the color of flesh. Corn was made into many things including soup, corn bread, mush and pudding. Acorns were crushed, leached, and cooked in boiling water to make porridge and the oil was used for cooking. The roots of cattails and water lilies were eaten. Some pots were small and some were big. Clay pots could be put directly in the fire or might be suspended over the fire. KatieThe Native Americans always made corn meal. They made it using a wooden bowl and used a wooden tool to slam the corn. They ate a lot of corn, beans, squash, greens, deer meat, rabbits, beaver, berries, pumpkin, and wild rice. Herbs also played a vital role in early cooking. Peppermint, spearmint, clover, sage, and rose hips were used to make teas and flavor other foods. Husks from the corn were also used. When they were braided, they would become shoes, baskets, masks, sleeping mats, and corn husk dolls. Clay pots were made from clay dug up from the ground. Designs were put on them. Baskets were woven and then coated with clay for insulation so they could be used to heat food. A slab of stone was used as a griddle. Native American cooking tended to be simple. Most Lenape preferred their food to be very fresh, without any spices. Some cooking tools were home grown gourds that were turned into lightweight bowls, dippers and spoons which were easily replaced when needed. LeahWeaponsAtlatls – were used to make it easier to throw some spears and to make them faster. The atlatl helped the thrower conserve energy. It had a curved hook to launch the spear which acted like a lever. It was made of wood. They stopped using it because bows were more accurate. Stone ax – The men had to chip off rock to make the ax head. The handle was made of wood. They tied the stone with sinews. The more the stone head was polished, the smoother it would be. There were 3 quarter grooved, full grooved, wedged and ground stone heads. MatthewSpears – were used for hunting and warfare. They were powerful due to the atlatl. Europeans said that a spear thrown by an atlatl could go through chain mail armor. They were used as a missile weapon. They were made of lightweight wood, stone or bones, and feathers. The tip was made of flint. The tips were often made of quartz. War clubs – had bones on the inside and were otherwise made of wood until the Europeans came. The wood types were Maple, Ash, Oak, Hickory and Hornbeam. The heads were made of stone and usually had a wolf or bear on the head. Sometimes they had the head of a human craved in. They were 2 ? feet long and the knobs were as big as a football. Some had claws and talons holding balls. There were used for melee, hand to hand, combat in wars and battles.Bows & Arrows – Bows were made of Hickory, Locust, Ash, Mulberry, Hornbeam, Maple & Oak. Hunting bows were 40 to 50 lbs. War bows were 60 to 65 lbs. They were durable, light, quiet and better than muskets. John Smith broke his musket to hide its uselessness in a contest where a Native American shot an arrow through a European breastplate. Arrowheads were made of flint, hard stone or bone. Feathers were put on to make the arrow fly straighter. The strings were usually made from sinew. Even toddlers would get a bow and arrow and practice with it every day. TristinTrapsBird net traps – Mist nets were used to trap birds in the woodlands. They were commonly used to trap geese, ducks and pigeons. The nets were strung across trees or poles in the flight path of birds. The birds fly into the invisible net and falls to a fold at the bottom of the net. The nets are made from net or mesh. They are light and hard to see. They resemble an oversized volleyball net. JessicaDeadfall traps – were made with one very heavy log with a rock on top and bait. They were used to trap small, medium, or big game humanely. The Native Americans said that a well-made deadfall trap would kill an animal quickly by breaking their neck or vertebrae. When an animal moved the baited trigger, the rock or log fell and killed the animal. The logs would fall at the slightest touch of the bait. Hunting or trapping was not for fun or sport. The entire body, bones, fur and meat, was used. TristinSnare traps – Snares were usually used to trap small animals, but could sometimes be used for larger ones. Snares are one of the simplest and most effective traps. They are easy to produce and could be set in large numbers. It trapped animals around the neck or the body. The trigger spring snare consisted of 4 components which could be readily secured. They are: 1.The slip noose or snare loop (made from some kind of cordage), 2) the two part trigger (carved from wood) which needed to delicately adjusted, 3) the leader line (also made from some type of cordage) and 4) the engine or a firmly planted stick (typically a bent over a springy sapling). Bait was attached to the trigger stick. Another type of snare was called the “jerk-up”. In this instance, the snare was attached to a heavy weight with one end hoisted up in place or a sapling curved down to the ground. If the animal hits the snare, it pulled the snare off a notched trigger stick, which jerked it into the air. It was important to position the trap properly. It was put in a place where the animals passed through such as a trail or near a den hole. GraceClothing – Lenape clothing was used to stay warm in cold temperatures and to protect them from thorns or brambles. Women’s clothing consisted of skirts, leggings and tunics. They were made of elk, deer, or bear hides or fiber from plants. Both men and women wore fur robes, mittens, and caps in the winter. The robes made from beaver or black bear skins were very warm. Turkey feathers were used for making warm cloaks. In warm weather, men wore light clothing like breechcloths and leggings tied to a belt. Breech cloths were a long piece of soft rectangular cloth or leather. Most of the time, they passed through the legs and were held up by a belt around the waistband or folded over a belt like an apron in the front and back. Some breechcloths were covered in painted designs. Everyone had soft-soled deer skin moccasins, but they were mainly worn for ceremonies. Most of the time people went barefoot. Anything they wore close to their body was usually deer or beaver skin. Hunters wore deer hides as camouflage. Women wore their hair long and kept it in a braid or a bun while working around fires. Cattail fluff was used in baby diapers. Deer antlers were worn as jewelry. Slivers were used as needles to sew the clothes. Usually they wore beaded head bands with two feathers on them. They never wore long headdresses. The men also wore a skin bag or pouch hanging from their neck. VinayMusical InstrumentsThe Water Drums – are a category called “membranophone” characterized by the filling of the drum chamber with some amount of water to create a unique sound. Rawhide is used for the drum head. Special Rawhide drums were used by a powwow to call up the spirits. The drum was about the size of a washtub and was painted half red and half blue. A yellow strip, which stood for the path of the sun was painted around it. The rawhide drum was held off the ground by four decorated wooden stakes. A powwow would drum himself into a trance. MaddieThe Bell-Mouthed Flute – had five holes and produced a shrill sound. Both of these instruments were used for music ceremonies. MaddieThe Lenape used drums and rattles to accompany singing and dancing. They may have been used to attract another person’s attention, but probably not often used for courting. Making music and singing was a favorite pastime. Musical instruments were made from natural materials found in the field, forest and rivers or other bodies of water. For example, they made rattles from turtle shells, Elm or Hickory bark, dried deer hooves and gourds. Deer hooves become hard when dried and make a pleasant sound when struck together. Elm bark was good for making rattles because it is flexible; it can be shaped into a rattle by bending it in half. Rattles were made from Snapping turtles and Eastern box turtles that were found in nearby ponds, lakes, rivers, woodlands, and fields. The water drum was made from a small hollowed out log which was filled with water to create resonance. They were made by stretching skins on a log. It was used in ceremonies where people would be sitting around a fire. The steady beat of the deep resonant (echoing) sound was followed by a singer. Then the women would come out and dance on either side of the drummer. They would have gourd or other rattles to sing along. The flute was probably used as a personal instrument with the player composing for enjoyment. Using a stone, they split a piece of cedar wood in half. After burning and scraping each half, they joined the two pieces together with a kind of glue (like pine sap) and strips of leather. They made finger holes with a pump drill and a sharp stone. Flutes were also made out of bird bones. VinayTravelCanoes – Birch bark Canoes were built by trial and error. Once they discovered a working form of the boat, it was not improved much. Today’s canoes look very much like the ones made by the Native Americans. They were built in all sizes, made small for a single person or fashioned in an incredible size to carry an amazing 50 paddlers. These canoes ranged in length from 10 to 24 feet. Building the canoe was a joint project for 2 men and 4 women that might take from 10 days to 3 weeks. The first chore was assembling material. While the woman dug and prepared Spruce and Tamarack roots to be used for sewing the seams and gum for caulking them, the men collected and shaped the heavier stuff. IanDugout Canoes – were made from Cedar, White Pine, Cypress, Oak, Birch, Tulip wood and most Pine trees. They were used a lot more than bark canoes. The size could be up to 60 feet long. They made them by boring the inside of the trunk and hollowing it out by fire. They stopped the fire by putting dirt on it or soaking pine pitch into the wood to stop it from burning as much. TristinPaths – The Lenape were excellent trail makers and chose their paths carefully. Where possible, they kept their paths on high, well drained ground. When they had to cross a stream, or river, they chose the best location to do this. They often had to travel many days in search of food and supplies. The trails they used went across mountains, around lakes, and along rivers. At night, they would make a campfire and sleep out in the open or under a rock shelter. Later, white settlers made many of the Indian paths into road and highways. The Sheshequin path was a major Native American trail in the state of Pennsylvania that ran between two Native American villages: “French Margaret’s town” on the west branch of the Susquehanna River (part of modern day Williamsport) and “Sheshequin” on the north branch of the Susquehanna River (modern day Ulster Twp. In Bradford County). The path ran north and east along Lycoming Creek and followed much of Towanda Creek in Bradford County. It was a short cut across the Susquehanna River and was later used by early settlers. IanWampum – The word wampum comes from the Algonquin word wampumpeag, meaning “white strings”. The beads were made of Clam and Whelk shells and were highly valued. They were about 1/4 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter. White wampum was a symbol of peace, health and riches; black of grief or sympathy. They called white “wompam” and black “suckahock”. White wampum was made from the central column of the whelk shell. The rare purple beads were made from the dark purple lining of the Quahog shell. Beads were used to decorate clothing and other possessions. The belts had meanings “talked” into them. The belts were also used to record stories and special events such as a peace treaty, and as a way to trade for items. The belts were about 3 feet long. Europeans set up wampum factories. They introduced metal drills that allowed mass production. The beads made by the Native Americans looked different than those made by the Europeans – they were thicker, less straight and not all the same sizes; whereas the Europeans’ beads looked perfect and even. MiraSpiritual Beliefs – Masks or False Faces were used to take bad spirits out of the land. False Faces were also spirits of harvest. If someone was hurt badly, he/she would go to the tribe’s elder women. The women would use medicines and if that didn’t work they would open their skin and put something in the bone. If that didn’t work, they would go to a person who made masks and he/she would ask a spirit to cure the person. When a victim was healed, the healer would say special words to summon the Great Spirit. The False Face society was a group of men who wore frightening masks of wood. They were thought to possess special powers when they put on their masks. To make the mask, the Native Americans walked through the woods until they found a tree whose spirit talked to them. After talking to the tree, they built a fire and sprinkled tobacco, then stripped the bark from the tree. Next, they outlined a face and cut out the section of the tree to be outlined. Then they carved it. It was decorated with feathers and hair, but first polished. Sometimes they wore masks to frighten away the evil spirits. Masks were used in ceremonies such as the death of animals or people. Mesingw was such an important spirit that they made a mask of his face and wove it onto a tree. Small masks were sometimes carved on pendants and worn as necklaces just as some people wear religious medals today. EmmaPipes – Smoking was important to the Lenape. Tobacco and pipes were thought to be sacred and according to the proper rituals. Tobacco smoke was frequently used as an offering to the spirits. Pipes were very unique. One pipe was a tomahawk pipe. They had different structures and designs. They were used for normal smoking and for ceremonies. They were shaped by fingers. EmmaCradle Boards – were woven and used to hold a baby. The baby was strapped in. The wood frame was covered with animal skin. They were sometimes woven. Inside the frame, they put some soft moss in. They only used it for the first few months of an infant’s life. When the women needed to do something, the board was hung from a tree. The baby never slept in it at night. MatthewToys & GamesThe Lenni Lenape made toys out of material found around them – sticks, stones, plant fibers, shells, bits of leather and corn husks. The girls played house with dolls made from leather, wood, corn husks or cattails. They also made clothes for their dolls. Boys played with bow & arrow sets. Most of the toys were for fun, but they all involved learning. The kids made Cattail ducks and toy axes. Grandparents made toy canoes for children. A boy would use mini spears and sling shots to practice with them. Sometimes the boys made big, fake animals for them to practice shooting at. Kids had balls with the fur from skin of animals inside and the skin without the fur would be used for the outside. The kid would pass the ball around. For babies, beads made from the teeth of animals or sometimes a rabbit’s leg were hung from cradleboards. In the winter, toboggans were made out of bark and raced down nearby hills. GavinThe Snow snake game was made by each village which carved their own “snake” out of a flattened piece of maple wood or wood scrap. They were quite long. At the head, the head was turned up slightly. To play the game, they made a lane of snow 110-200, some up to one mile. It was played down hills. GriffinThe players of the snow snake game were on teams of 6 and it was played by throwing a long piece of painted wood and seeing who could throw it the farthest. In spring, snow snakes were discarded in fear that the wood would turn into real snakes. Kiera The warrior who could throw the highly polished Ash or Hickory stick the farthest won all of the other snow snakes. The throw was made by holding onto the tail of the snake with the index finger. The other fingers and the thumb held the snake parallel to the ground. In a crouched position, the thrower hurtled the stick forward with an under hand sweep, like when we bowl. The snow snake could also be thrown down the trough like a skipping stone. In the spring, all of them were discarded because they feared they might turn into real snakes. Kiera and GriffinThe Pin Game was made with a target of perforated leather in a rolled core of moose hair, or a bundle of wrapped cedar twigs connected to an eight inch spear of wood or bone. The bone was connected by a foot long cord. Sometimes a bundle of Cedar twigs acted as a counterweight. The game was played with one person flipping the spear up and trying to make it through a hole. When one person missed, it was the other person’s turn. The person who made the most throws through the hole won. Victor & GriffinThe Dice game was made with 5 or more dice in a shallow bowl. The bowl was struck on the ground with a lot of force to make them jump and flip over. The scoring was based on how many disks were face up. The person with the most points won. GriffinThe Hoop and Pole game – was a contest played with a small circular hoop that was rolled along the ground. Each player tried to throw his spear through the rolling hoop. The player who speared the hoop and stopped it, received a point. Then the hoop was rolled again and the game continued. KieraLacrosse – is the best known Native American sport. It was common in almost every tribe. It was the favorite sport of most men and boys. It was also one of the oldest, and best known, sports that is stilled played today. The oldest balls were made of wood. The field was 500 years long. They were played on long plains located between two villages. The people were forbidden to touch the balls with their hands. One of the teams had their bodies painted white. They played barefoot. At the beginning of the game they lined up facing each other. Lacrosse games could last for days. As many as 100 to 1,000 from opposing villages would attend. Griffin ................
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