Indian tribes. What do we know about them?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Indian tribes are the indigenous population of the United States. When Columbus and his crew set foot on the shores of America, it turned out that the peoples living there were at an extremely low stage of development. However, even so, there were some differences between individual tribes.

Some did not even know pottery, and their entire diet consisted of various roots, fish and game. Others were already hunting larger animals and growing crops. Some Indian tribes lived in small villages, leading a nomadic lifestyle, while others built solid houses (often two-story) from burnt stone.

The studies of archaeologists and anthropologists are curious. Excavations have provided scientists with strange finds: the skulls of human skeletons were strangely elongated. There was no doubt that they had been deformed in life, meaning that this trait was not congenital. However, what is the reason for such a strange custom - purposefully changing the shape of the skull? Perhaps no one will give a definite answer to this question. There is an assumption that in this way the Indiansintimidated the enemy. Another version says that this is a sign of respect for the leader, who by nature had an elongated (albeit not so much) skull. However, a simpler explanation is also possible. Like stretching the earlobes, lengthening the neck with rings, and many other strange things, the Indians considered the unusually shaped skull simply beautiful. Which version to believe in is up to you!

The Indian tribes of North America are very numerous and varied. And among them there are also peoples with high, medium and low levels of civilization. It is customary to single out the 5 most highly developed tribes. These are the Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Chickasaw Natchez, and the Creeks.

They all live in the southeastern forests. Their development was influenced by the arrival of white people on the mainland. These Indian tribes not only learned a lot, but also made friends with the colonialists in the 19th century. This process was greatly facilitated by George Washington. It is interesting that he considered the Redskins full members of society and did his best to ensure that they mastered European culture, learned to enjoy the benefits of civilization, and so on.

Cherokee is perhaps the most interesting Indian tribe. For a long time they inhabited the Appalachian mountains. Europeans became aware of them in the 16th century during the landing of members of the Spanish expedition on the shores of North America.

Cherokee a few centuries ago were distinguished by a high level of cultural development and the social structure of society. For example, in the 19th century Christianity became their main religion. George Hess - the leader of the tribe - created a special alphabet and even the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper. In addition, the people drew up their own constitution and appointed members of the government. They even elected a president, who, in truth, they continued to call "The Great Leader."

Indigenous peoples have certain laws and regulations. For example, they are very hospitable. Food is cooked only once a day - for lunch (men and women at the same time eat separately). They cultivate the land and farm together. It is important that these and other curious traditions have been observed for many centuries, and therefore the culture of Indian tribes is an extremely interesting subject for study.