The Haudenosaunee & Wampum
Photo by Kanatiyosh@aol.com wampum & shell 2001©
Extract of article that appeared in the Indian Times Newspaper
Women's Nomination Belt photo by Kanatiiosh 2001©
The six human figures represent the Iotiianehshon (Clan Mothers) of the Six Nations. There are nine among the Mohawks, nine among the Oneida, thirteen among the Onondaga, ten among the Cayuga and eight among the Seneca totaling forty-nine. Clan mothers among the Five Nations were the original structure, and then included the Tuscaroras at a later date.
The line connecting the six human figures represents the equal rights that the Clan Mothers have, in regulating names of the people, so that there is no competition of in-fighting over who has the rights to the names, thus preventing duplication. The white background represents that the clan mothers are the holders of the Kariwiio (Good Message), Kashastensera (Power) and Skennen (Peace).
The squares in the middle represent the two houses or moiety, known as the Younger brother and the Elder brother, so that when a clan mother is ready to nominate or raise a new leader after passing all the channels, she will stand her candidate for all to see, whether it is on the side of the Younger brother, or the Elder brother.
In his journey, the Peacemaker arrived at the waterfalls on the Easterly side of the river, where upon a long path, a woman lived alone. Tsikonsase (Jikonsaseh) was the woman's name. It is said the Tsikonsase was a descendent of the first woman on earth.
Tsikonsase was said to have done a lot of work in relation to the warpath, as she fed warriors that travelled from the east and also those who travelled from the west.
The Peacemaker then spoke to Tsikonsase about her business of aiding the war to continue, and told her to stop, for the Kariwiio (Good Message), Kashastensera (Power) and Skennen (Peace) were coming to the nations. By accepting the good message brought by the Peacemaker, Tsikonsase became the first woman to accept the Kaianaraserakowa (Great Law of Peace). It is then, that Tsikonsase became the first woman to accept the Great Law of Peace, and would become instrumental in promoting peace amongst the Onkwehonwe.
The Women's Nomination Belt records the rights of nomination given to the Clan Mothers of the Five Nations of the Rotinonhshonni.
The origin of the rights, these women leaders have, begins in their founding mother, Tsikonsase, who is also known as the Mother of Nations, because it is said that her blood line originates from the first woman on earth.
As mothers of all nations on Mother Earth, certain Clan Mothers of each clan are given the responsibility of maintaining the harmony and balance within the clans and nations, by being the guardian over the names to prevent duplication of names, and to prevent competition over the rights of leadership positions.
In her responsibility of choosing (nominating) a chief, a Clan Mother calls a meeting with her immediate extended family, meeting mainly with the female relatives, but she may also choose to combine the men relations as well. At the meeting, she will inform her extended family who she's chosen to be chief, and then seeks approval of all the mothers of her extended family. Upon approval, the clan mother stands the chief up for all to see. The clan mother stands along side with her chief, sub-chief, and one woman and man faithkeeper.
John Arthur Gibson. 1992. Concerning the League Dictated in Onondaga, by John Arthur Gibson. Printed in Canada.
Interpreted by the Mohawk Nation Council in collaboration with the Circle of Knowledge and Traditional Iroquoian Orator's Society: for educational purposes only, copyrighted© Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs. This project is funded by the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, the Mohawk Roundtable, and the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force.
The Haudenosaunee & Wampum
Photo by Kanatiyosh@aol.com wampum & shell 2000©
Extract of article that appeared in the Indian Times Newspaper
Women's Nomination Belt photo by Kanatiyosh 2000©
The six human figures represent the Iotiianehshon (Clan Mothers) of the Six Nations. There are nine among the Mohawks, nine among the Oneida, thirteen among the Onondaga, ten among the Cayuga and eight among the Seneca totaling forty-nine. Clan mothers among the Five Nations were the original structure, and then included the Tuscaroras at a later date.
The line connecting the six human figures represents the equal rights that the Clan Mothers have, in regulating names of the people, so that there is no competition of in-fighting over who has the rights to the names, thus preventing duplication. The white background represents that the clan mothers are the holders of the Kariwiio (Good Message), Kashastensera (Power) and Skennen (Peace).
The squares in the middle represent the two houses or moiety, known as the Younger brother and the Elder brother, so that when a clan mother is ready to nominate or raise a new leader after passing all the channels, she will stand her candidate for all to see, whether it is on the side of the Younger brother, or the Elder brother.
In his journey, the Peacemaker arrived at the waterfalls on the Easterly side of the river, where upon a long path, a woman lived alone. Tsikonsase (Jikonsaseh) was the woman's name. It is said the Tsikonsase was a descendent of the first woman on earth.
Tsikonsase was said to have done a lot of work in relation to the warpath, as she fed warriors that travelled from the east and also those who travelled from the west.
The Peacemaker then spoke to Tsikonsase about her business of aiding the war to continue, and told her to stop, for the Kariwiio (Good Message), Kashastensera (Power) and Skennen (Peace) were coming to the nations. By accepting the good message brought by the Peacemaker, Tsikonsase became the first woman to accept the Kaianaraserakowa (Great Law of Peace). It is then, that Tsikonsase became the first woman to accept the Great Law of Peace, and would become instrumental in promoting peace amongst the Onkwehonwe.
The Women's Nomination Belt records the rights of nomination given to the Clan Mothers of the Five Nations of the Rotinonhshonni.
The origin of the rights, these women leaders have, begins in their founding mother, Tsikonsase, who is also known as the Mother of Nations, because it is said that her blood line originates from the first woman on earth.
As mothers of all nations on Mother Earth, certain Clan Mothers of each clan are given the responsibility of maintaining the harmony and balance within the clans and nations, by being the guardian over the names to prevent duplication of names, and to prevent competition over the rights of leadership positions.
In her responsibility of choosing (nominating) a chief, a Clan Mother calls a meeting with her immediate extended family, meeting mainly with the female relatives, but she may also choose to combine the men relations as well. At the meeting, she will inform her extended family who she's chosen to be chief, and then seeks approval of all the mothers of her extended family. Upon approval, the clan mother stands the chief up for all to see. The clan mother stands along side with her chief, sub-chief, and one woman and man faithkeeper.
John Arthur Gibson. 1992. Concerning the League Dictated in Onondaga, by John Arthur Gibson. Printed in Canada.
Interpreted by the Mohawk Nation Council in collaboration with the Circle of Knowledge and Traditional Iroquoian Orator's Society: for educational purposes only, copyrighted© Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs. This project is funded by the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs, the Mohawk Roundtable, and the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force.
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Website created May 20, 2000: Updated December 2001
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