Sometimes it's good to step back in the past, so we can learn for the future.
It's hard to believe when you step foot on Ganondagan Historical site, near Victor NY, that at one time several thousand people called this site home. This village rivaled many in Europe in size for its time. The Senecas were the keepers of the Western Gate, the western portion of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. They held control over the portage over the Niagara River. The French wanted to cut out the middle man, So they sent a contingent of soldiers to destroy this village stronghold. So in 1687, while the men were out on a fur-trapping expedition, The French decided to attack. Runners were sent to call the men back. And about 100 old men, young boys and women held off the French forces so the village could be evacuated. This site was destroyed by the Senecas themselves to prevent the French, who were on their way to destroy the village, from destroying it. When the French arrived, there was nothing left. In retaliation, they destroyed the grain stores remaining and left. The Senecas never moved back to Ganondagan.
In 1998, the Senecas reconstructed a longhouse on the site.
Ganondagan's Longhouse
One always enters the longhouse from the eastern door, and leaves by the western door. Our tour guide explained the history of the site and how they constructed the longhouse.
Gwyn is inspecting the ladder used to reach the top "bunk" area, which was used for storage, not sleeping.
Felicity is inspecting the trade goods for which the Senecas exchanged furs and portage.
Each family unit had one section of the longhouse.
Blankets were hung on the walls for insulation and their beauty.
Necklaces beads were made from animal bones and claws.
Later, trade beads were used. This necklace has both.
This metal pot would have been used the Seneca's began trading with the French and English.
Each person would have had their own unique spoon with their clan symbol carved into the top.
When a man married, he joined his wife's clan.
Among the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), the role of chief was not passed down from father to son,
rather women from each clan gathered together to select the leader.
Parents and young infants slept on one side of the longhouse,
children and young adults slept on the other in their family's section
Fire pits ran down the center of the longhouse, one per family.
The doors of the longhouse had to be closed
in order for the fires to draft through the roof properly.
Wampum or beaded belts were not used for money.
Rather each belt told a story or signified a treaty.
The one above commemorated the original 5 tribes unifying
for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
The Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oneidas, and the Mohawks.
Later the Tuscaroras joined the Confederacy.
Trade goods soon became necessities, changing the way life.
Thank you to our great guides there! If you are in the area, it is worth your time to step back in time and learn about the past and the present of the Seneca Nation here at Ganondagan.
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