The Iroquois

The Iroquois were a branch of North American Indians who belonged to the Hokan-Siouan linguistic family. They were the initiators of the Iroquois Confederacy, or Iroquois League, a North American Indian confederation consisting of five nations joined together for greater strength, commerce and survival: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca (founded 1570). Around 1722, the Tuscarora joined the League, and these people inhabited what is now the north and west sides of New York's Hudson River. These Indians numbered 5,500, and materially, politically and militarily their culture was the most advanced in the Eastern Woodlands.

The Iroquois conceived of themselves as living in a metaphorical "longhouse" in which each nation had a role. For example, the Mohawks guarded the eastern door. By allowing neighboring tribes to be absorbed into the group from territorial wars, the League came to number 16,000 by the end of the 17th century. Their leaders were Cornplanter, Red Jacket and Joseph Bryant, and all the nations but the Oneida sided with the British during the American Revolution.

The Iroquois could be particularly ferocious if the need arose. Different types of warfare included the small war party out for revenge or a claim to the all-out invasion of enemy lands by the warriors of one or more of the tribes acting together. Men found their occupation in the hunt and in war:

Skill in hunting, oratory, and warlike courage were the ideals of Iroquois manhood.

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in the implements and the seeds. Iroquois agricultural activities, which yielded bountiful harvests, were highly organized under elected female leadership. Most important, Iroquois women maintained the right to distribute and dispense all food, even procured by men. This was especially significant as stored food constituted one of the major forms of wealth for the tribe. One can see how economic control is able to gain control for women in other areas of society. For example, since the food was tied into the economic order of the tribe and the women had complete control over it, they also had complete power. For instance, they could withhold the food for meetings of Council or for war parties. They controlled the use of food during religious and other ceremonies and significant tribal events. The daily household meals were also affected by this one-sided situation, and further control came to the women in this manner. Through this judicious use of food rationing and control, the women quite successfully made their influence felt in many other areas of tribal life. For example, the economic control allowed for the women to gain ancillary types of control. They were able to select Council Elders and influence their decis

Category: History - T