I have researched your Iroquois Indian pages and found them very
informative.  I am a teacher in a middle school in Newburgh, NY.  We have
recently visited the Iroquois Indian Museum in Howes Cavern, NY and were
involved in an activity where the students made necklaces and bracelets from
various color beads.  We are having the parents in for a meeting on the trip
and would like to offer a few of the activities to them.  I was wondering if
you could point me to a cite or provide me with any information on the
history of beads in Iroquoian culture for my students to present.  I was
interested in such aspects as what certain colors stand for (if any), what
certain patterns meant, what the beads were used for, and any other general
information that we can use in our presentation.

                                Thank You For Your Time,
                  
                                                Michael Augelli

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Reply from Barbara Kanatiyosh Gray:  

Greetings Mike

I spent some time as a child growing up right on the other side of Newburg in
Cold Spring and Fishkill.  I sure do miss the leaves changing color--the
spring flowers--and even the snow.  I have been out here in AZ--for too long.
I am currently away at college doing my Ph.D.  I have two links that I
thought might help you with your question.  The first link below talks about
how wampum is made and from what.  It also explains symbols etc.  The
second link takes you to my art page where you can see my beading.  I hope
they help. 

O:nen

Barbara

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Reply from John Fadden:  October 29, 1999

Michael Augelli,

This is in support of Helen Birkman's response to your inquiry regarding beads:

Publications concerning wampum:

"Knowledge of the Elders: The Iroquois Condolence Cane Tradition", by Jose
Barreiro and Carol Cornelius.  "Northeast Indian Quarterly".  Ithaca, NY,
Cornell University, 1991.  Traditions and symbolism in the Haudenosaunee
condolence traditions, and explanations of various wampum belts and wampum
strings.

"Northeast Indian Quarterly vol. VII no. 1", Jose Barreiro, ed.,  Ithaca,
NY, Cornell University, 1990).  Articles: the return of the Wampum, Oral
memory: views of the two row wampum, Reading wampum belts as living
symbols.

"Wampum Belts of The Iroquois" by Tehanetorens/Ray Fadden, 1999 Reprint by
the Book Publishing Company, Summertown, TN.

"Northeast Handbook of North American Indians: Volume 15", Bruce G.
Trigger, ed., Smithsonian Institution Press, 1978, contains section on
Iroquois wampum belts & strings.

---------------------------------------------

A brief piece about beads in general which is upon the wall of the Six
Nations Indian Museum and the reason for it is the title reflects the most
asked question by visitors to the Museum:

"Where did they get the beads?"

        There are many types of beads.  They are made from various
materials...shell, wood, glass, seeds, stone, quill, and other sources.
The most culturally important bead-type within traditional Native cultures
of the Northeast and the Great Lakes area was (is) the wampum bead.  Wampum
beads, which are either white or purple, are structured from the quohog
shell and the whelk shell which are found along the Atlantic Coast.
Algonquian speaking coastal Nations specialized in wampum bead
construction.  They would trade the beads for other items with inland
nations.

        Wampum beads were fashioned into belts, and strings.  They were
also also used for decorative purposes.  Wampum belts and wampum strings
have special cultural significance.  Wampum was never considered "money."
This persistent stereotypical view came from Europeans observing that
Native People valued wampum.  However, this Native value was based on the
spiritual, political and cultural significance of wampum.  It was not
perceived in the same manner as others view "money."

        Significant events were recorded by wampum belts.  One such record
is called "The Coming of the White Men."  The design of this belt involves
the structuring of sets of dark diagonal lines against a white background.
Each set of lines is composed of two wide lines supporting a thinner one
between them.  The thin line represents the weak condition of the early
European, and the wider supporting lines represent the fact that they were
nurtured by Native Nations.

        Elements of law were given recognition by wampum.  The constitution
of the Iroquois Confederacy was composed of several articles of law.  Each
of these articles was given binding significance by either wampum belts or
wampum strings.  Each chief and each clan mother of the Iroquois Confederacy
has a special string of wampum which serves as credentials and reminders of
their responsible office.  Wampum belts also served as instruments of
agreement, truth, and sincerity as elements of protocol between nations.

        Native Americans of the Midwest made beads and other objects from
copper.  They traded these beads with other nations, and there is
archaeological evidence that this trade item reached the territory of the
Iroquois Confederacy.  Native societies in Mexico structured beads from
stone such as turquoise, jade and they also made beads of gold.  Nations of
the Northwest structured beads from dentalium shells, and among some
nations the bones of animals and birds became the raw material for beads.

        With the arrival of the European came the glass bead.
Multi-colored glass beads originated in various cultural areas throughout
Africa, the Near East, Europe, and Asia.  Native Americans adapted this new
material to Native designs.  It was often used in conjunction with native
materials such as shell beads, quills, and pigments.

        In contemporary times beads continue to be worn decoratively by
Native and non-Native alike.  Added to the list of materials of
construction is plastic, and other synthetic substances.  However, among
the traditional Iroquois, the wampum bead continues to be of primary
importance.

---------------------------------------------

A couple of websites you may find of interest:

http://members.aol.com/miketben/miketben.htm (Two Row Wampum belt & meaning)
http://www.thebeadsite.com (wonderful website about beads)
http://www.thebeadsite.com/WAMPREFD.htm  (re: "Wampum Belts of The Iroquois)

Good Wishes,

John Fadden

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