The Wampum is an overall vital part of Onondaga and Haudenosaunee culture. Wampum is created from the shell of a clam, and the beads are cut from the white and purple parts of the shell. Because of the tedious efforts involved in creating the beads, Wampum is highly valued. The shell is thought of as a living record of the Haudenosaunee. Speakers put the words of agreements into the Wampum to remember original agreements, and when a string of Wampum is held in one’s hand, they are said to be speaking out of truth. To this day Wampum belts are living history.
Wampum represents peaceful governance and meaningful relationships.
The Hiawatha Belt
This belt is the national belt of the Haudenosaunee. The belt is named after Hiawatha, an Onondaga who was the Peacemaker’s helper in spreading the good words of Peace. This belt displays when five warring nations (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk) buried their weapons of war to live in peace. Today, the Hiawatha Belt has been recreated into a flag that can be seen all over the world.
Two Row Wampum
The Two Row Wampum represents the relationship of Europeans and Indigenous people, specifically Dutch settlers and Haudenosaunee Nations. In 1613 after the Europeans arrived, there were many attempts at communication with the Haudenosaunee. The settlers wanted to be referred to as “Father” and the Haudenosaunee “Son.” The Haudenosaunee said that this would not do. “We shall address each other as ‘Brothers.’ This shows that we are equal to each other.”
As the Haudenosaunee and Dutch kept learning about each other after contact, an agreement was made as to how they would interact, build relationships and live with each other. The belt with its purple and white shells represented their agreements on both sides; it has two purple rows running the length of the belt representing two boats. A canoe, belonging to the Haudenosaunee, and a ship, representing the settlers. The boats travel alongside one another, sharing the river, but never crossing or interfering with one another. In this sense, the agreement emphasized that each nation will respect the ways of each other. Treaties and Wampum belts are the initial agreements between settlers and Indigenous nations. The Haudenosaunee see the Two Row Wampum as a living treaty, where people can live together in peace.
It is important for all Canadians to be aware of, and understand the initial treaties and agreements between settlers and First Nations.
To learn more about other Wampums click HERE
