ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel ClickView The Lenape Nation (The Delaware): History, Society and Culture | History
The Lenape, also known as the Delaware, are a Native American tribe whose original homelands were in the northeastern part of North America. They were often called the “Grandfathers” because they helped other tribes solve problems peacefully, even though they were strong warriors.
When European settlers arrived, they forced many Lenape to leave their homes through unfair agreements and sometimes by force. This was a difficult time, and many Lenape did not survive the journey. Some found safety in Canada.
Today, the Lenape live in places called reservations in Oklahoma and reserves in Canada. They also live in cities and towns across North America. In the past, they built villages near rivers and streams, living in homes called wigwams and longhouses. Wigwams were round and made of wood, while longhouses were much larger and could hold big families.
The Lenape were organized into three groups called clans: the Wolf clan, the Turkey clan, and the Turtle clan. People in a clan were considered family, even if they weren’t related by blood. You couldn’t marry someone from your own clan. Clans were matrilineal, meaning you belonged to your mother’s clan.
In Lenape society, women were mainly responsible for farming, growing important crops like corn, beans, and squash, known as the Three Sisters. Men focused on hunting and gathering seafood. Each clan had a chief who made important decisions about hunting, trading, and protecting the tribe.
In 1788, during the Revolutionary War, the United States asked the Lenape for help, promising them protection and their own state. Unfortunately, these promises were not kept, leading to more challenges for the Lenape.
Today, there are six recognized Lenape nations in the U.S. and Canada, each with its own laws and the right to govern itself. Every year, the Lenape gather for a Powwow, a big festival celebrating Native American cultures with music and dance. Dancers wear special clothing called regalia, which is very important to their culture.
Lenape artists are famous for their ribbon work, which decorates their regalia. These designs often represent a person’s clan or nature. While some things have changed, the Lenape continue to celebrate their culture and live as a strong community.
Explore Lenape Clans: Create a simple family tree with your classmates. Imagine you are part of the Lenape society. Choose a clan (Wolf, Turkey, or Turtle) and draw a symbol that represents your clan. Discuss with your classmates why you chose that clan and what it means to you. Think about how being part of a clan might have helped the Lenape in their daily lives.
Build a Wigwam or Longhouse: Using materials like sticks, leaves, and paper, try to build a small model of a wigwam or longhouse. Think about why the Lenape chose these types of homes and how they might have been useful in their environment. Discuss with your friends how these homes are different from where you live today.
Three Sisters Garden: Plant a small garden with corn, beans, and squash, just like the Lenape did. Observe how these plants grow and help each other. Discuss why these crops were important to the Lenape and how they worked together to provide food. Share your observations with your class and think about how growing your own food can be beneficial.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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**Narrator:** The Lenape, also known as the Delaware, are a tribal nation whose homelands lie in northeastern North America. The Lenape were referred to as the Grandfathers because they assisted other tribal nations in resolving conflicts, despite being skilled warriors. Over the years, European settlers displaced many Lenape from their homelands, often through misleading treaties and military force. These displacements were challenging, and many individuals did not survive the journey. Some Lenape sought refuge in Canada for safety.
Today, the Lenape reside on reservations and reserves in Oklahoma and Canada, as well as in cities and towns throughout North America and beyond. The Lenape constructed villages along rivers and creeks, living in homes called wigwams and longhouses. Wigwams were large, rounded structures made from wood with a single entrance. Longhouses could be up to 100 feet long and accommodated entire extended families.
Lenape society was organized into three large groups known as clans. Not everyone in a clan was related by blood, but they were still considered family. Marrying within the same clan was prohibited. Clans were matrilineal, meaning individuals belonged to the same clan as their mother. The Lenape had three clans: the Wolf clan, the Turkey clan, and the Turtle clan. Each clan had a chief responsible for decisions regarding hunting, trade, and warfare.
Lenape women were primarily responsible for farming, while men focused on hunting and gathering seafood. The most important crops included corn, beans, and squash, collectively known as the Three Sisters, a planting technique adopted from the Haudenosaunee.
In 1788, the United States sought the Lenape’s assistance in the Revolutionary War, promising protection and their own state in return. However, the U.S. did not fulfill these promises, leading to further displacement of the Lenape.
Today, there are six sovereign nations of the Lenape, recognized by the federal governments of the U.S. and Canada, each with its own laws and the right to self-govern. Annually, each Lenape nation gathers in their respective states for a Powwow, which are large festivals celebrating Native American cultures and dances from across North America. At Powwows, dancers wear beautiful clothing known as regalia, which holds significant cultural importance and should not be replicated.
Delaware artists are renowned for their ribbon work, which adorns Lenape regalia. The patterns often symbolize a person’s clan or elements of the natural world. While some aspects of Lenape life have evolved, they continue to practice their culture and thrive as a unified people.
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