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Delaware Indian
Tribe Clans
According to Morgan (Anc.
Soc., 171, 1877) the Delawares have 3 clans (called by hirer gentes), or
phratries, divided into 34 subclans, not including 2 subclans now extinct.
These clans, which are the same among the Munsee and
Mahican, are:
(1) Took-seat ('round paw,' 'wolf' ).
(2) Pokekooungo ('crawling,' 'turtle').
(3) Pullaook ('non-chewing,' 'turkey').
These clans-Wolf, Turtle, and Turkey-are commonly given
as synonymous with Munsee, Unami, and Unalachtigo, the 3 divisions of the
Delawares, exclusive of the New Jersey branch. According to Brinton they
are not clans, but mere totemic emblems of the 3 geographic divisions
above named. Of these the Unami held the hereditary chieftainship. The New
Jersey branch probably formed a fourth division, but those bands broke up
at an early period and became incorporated with the others. Many of them
had originally removed from the west bank of Delaware river to escape the
inroads of the Conestoga. The 3 clans as given by Morgan are treated under
the better known geographic names.
The Took-seat, or Wolf clan, has the following 12
subdivisions:
(l) Maangreet (big feet) ;
(2) Weesowhetko (yellow tree);
(3) Pasakunamon (pulling corn);
(4) Weyarnihkato (care enterer, i. e. cave enterer?);
(5) Tooshwarkana (across the river);
(6) Olumane (vermilion); |
(7) Punaryou (dog standing by fireside)
;
(8) Kwineekcha (long body);
(9) Moonhartarne (digging);
(10) Nonharmin (pulling up stream);
(11) Longushharkarto (brush log);
(12) Mawsootoh (bringing along). |
The Pokekooungo, or Turtle clan,
has the following 10 subdivisions, 2 others being extinct:
(1) Okahoki (ruler);
(2) Takoongoto (high bank shore);
(3) Seeharongoto (drawing down hill);
(4) Oleharkarmekarto (elector);
(5) Maharolukti (brave); |
(6) Tooshkipakwisi (green leaves) ;
(7) Tungulungsi (smallest turtle) ;
(8) Welunungsi (little turtle);
(9) Leekwinai (snapping turtle);
(10) Kwisaesekeesto (deer). |
The Pullaook, or Turkey clan, has
the following 12 subdivisions:
(1) Moharala (big bird) ;
(2) Lelewayou (bird's cry) ;
(3) Mookwungwahoki (eye pain) ;
(4) Mooharmowikarnu (scratch the path);
(5) Opinghoki (opossum ground);
(6) Muhhowekaken (old shin); |
(7) Tongonaoto (drift log);
(8) Noolamarlarmo (living in water) ;
(9) Muhkrentharne (root digger) ;
(10) Muhkarmhukse (red face);
(11) Koowahoke (pine region);
(12) Oochukham (ground scratcher). |
The divisions of the Munsee,
according to Ruttenber, were the
Minisink
Waoranec
Waranawonkong
Mamekoting
Wawarsink
Catskill
He names among the Unami divisions the Navasink,
Raritan, Hackensack, Aquackanonk, Tappan, and Haverstraw, all in north New
Jersey, but there were others in Pennsylvania. Among the Unalachtigo
divisions in Pennsylvania and Delaware were probably the Neshamini,
Shackamaxon, Passayonk, Okahoki, Hickory Indians (?), and Nantuxets. The
Gachwechnagechga, or Lehigh Indians, were probably of tile Unami division.
Among the New Jersey bands not classified are the Yacomanshaghking,
Kahansuk, Konekotay, Meletecunk, Matanakons, Eriwonec, Asomoche, Pompton
(probably a Munsee division), Rancocas, Tirans, Siconesses (Chiconessex),
Sewapoo (perhaps in Delaware), Kechemeche, Mosilian, Axion, Calcefar,
Assunpink, Naraticon, and Manta (perhaps a Munsee division). The Nyack
band, or village, in Rockland co., N. Y., may have belonged to the Unami.
The Papagonk band and the Wysox probably belonged to the Munsee. See also
Munsee, Unami, Unalachtigo.
The books presented are for their
historical value only and are not the
opinions of the Webmasters of the site.
Handbook
of American Indians, 1906
Index of Tribes or Nations
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