The Mohawk have three clans. These three clans are the Bear, Wolf, and Turtle. The Mohawk have nine chiefs.
Iroquois masks are not meant to be used or made by people outside of
the Haudenosaunee community because to us they are living entities that are
part of our traditional spiritual cultural ways. Therefore, it is
culturally insensitive to make a false mask and there are many other things that
one can make and do that will help you learn about the Haudenosaunee culture.
"MEDICINE MASKS
All wooded and corn husk masks of the Haudenosaunee are considered sacred,
regardless of size or age. By their very nature, masks are empowered the
moment they are made. The image of the mask is sacred and must only be used
for its intended purpose. Masks do not have to be put through any ceremony
or have tobacco attached to them in order to become useful or powerful.
Masks should not be made unless they are to be used by members of the
medicine society, according to established tradition."
For more information please see: Cultural Sensitivity: Haudenosaunee Policy
Traditionally the Iroquois lived in bark and wood house called longhouses. Today our houses look very much like anyone else's. But many of us live in old wooden houses that were built by great great uncles and other friends and relatives of long ago. There are trailers and new houses on our reservation too.
When we go to the Longhouse for a ceremony or a social dance, we wear traditional regalia. For the women it may be a buckskin dress or a semi- long, cloth ribbon shirt worn over a skirt that is worn with leggings that are attached at the knee. The blouse, skirt and leggings are beautifully beaded. The beadwork designs are woodland designs, which depict flowers and animals. The men wear may wear buckskin leggings and shirts, or they too may wear a cloth ribbon shirt over material or leather leggings, Their regalia is beaded too. The beading is done on most edges and sometimes designs are beaded On the front and back of skirts. Women sometimes wear a tiara (looks like a crown) and the men wear a Kastoweh, which is a feather hat.
For more information and pictures see Haudenosaunee Clothing
The Haudenosaunee traditionally ate--deer-elk-turkey and other wild game. We also have gardens with our principal crop being corn, beans, and squash. We also had a diet rich in fish. Fish like-sturgeon-walleye-bass and pike. However, do to environmental poisoning of the waters we do not consume the amount of fish we once did. The absence of fish and the increase in processed foods has led, in part, to illnesses like diabetes amongst our people.
It is best to connect the specific Nation (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga,
Seneca, or Tuscarora) you believe you are from, and then find out specifics on
tracing genealogy from their reserve. In general, the following is usually
needed:
Information you need to make a Genealogy Request:
1. Lineage - Family Tree of Haudenosaunee Ancestors
a. Names (English and Haudenosaunee) - maiden and surnames
b. Dates of birth
c. Siblings or known (Haudenosaunee blood) relatives
d. Clan (if any)
2. Area born in
a. Nearest Haudenosaunee Territory
b. Nearest City or Town
c. Canada or US, State or Province
d. Other important information that would clue us into the area they were from
3. Any other pertinent information to establish lineage
Please note that births were not recorded in any registry before the 1850's.
Before that time, if a relative was a Christian, a search at the local community
church is your best bet. Further searches at the surrounding libraries may link
a relative to the bloodline if that marriage was recorded into another
family. However, this is not a guarantee that registration as a member will be
immediate. Documents such as marriage and birth certificates will be need to be
produced and verified.
What are the seasonal ceremonies of the Haudenosaunee?
There are 13 major ceremonies of the Iroquois. These ceremonies follow the
seasonal changes and are performed to give thanks to the people and the natural
world, to assure the continuation of the people, and retain good health.
During all of these ceremonies there is an opening and closing prayer. See:
Ohen:ton
Kariwatekwen Many dances and songs are performed including the Great Feather
dance. The orators give speeches that tell of the history of the people and
continue the traditional teachings. Some of the ceremonies have special rituals
that take place.
Midwinter (January)
Maple Ceremony (spring)
Thunder Dance (can be spring)
Sun and Moon dance (2 times)
Seed Ceremony
Planting Ceremony
Strawberry Ceremony
String bean (late summer)
Corn
Harvest
Thunder
End of seasons
The three sisters are corn, beans, and squash. They are the staple foods for the
Haudenosaunee. The Haudenosaunee planted the three sisters together. This was
very wise.
The women would form a mound or hill from the soil. They would plant the corn.
Once the corn came up they, planted pole beans around the base of the corn
stalk, then they planted squash at the foot of the beans and corn.
The three sister grew well together. The corn provided a place for the pole
beans to climb. The beans roots gave off nitrogen which feed the corn plant,
while the squash grew all over the mound. The squash leaves kept the moisture in
the mound. Together the three sisters looked out for each other and help each
other grow. When the three sisters are harvested, a prayer and ceremony is held
for them thanking them for growing and feeding the people.