Belt of Wampum

One of the things that caught my attention in the "Walking Purchase" section I blogged about this week was the mention (several times, in fact) of the Belt of Wampum in Canasatego's response. I had no clue what the Belt of Wampum represented so, as always, I set out on an exciting Google expedition to educate myself. What I discovered was quite fascinating considering the reference that is made to the belt in the text. Traditionally, a Belt of Wampum is used to commemorate treaties, historical events, and personal contracts (marriage, for example). The belts were (are) made from white shell beads and purple beads from the quahog (I am seriously resisting the urge to include a Family Guy reference at this point). 

In the letter we read, Canasatego essentially forces the Belt of Wampum upon the Lenni Lenape Indians of New Jersey. I was particularly struck by the fact that someone who certainly understood the significance of the belt would pervert the peaceful history of it. It is insult enough that it took two years to respond to the complaint, but he furthers insult the tribe by stating, "Let this belt of Wampum serve to chastise you." The belt was not intended to be a disciplinary tool, but a symbol of a peaceful transaction between peoples, something the "Walking Purchase" most certainly was not. 

I was able to find several different designs, all of which I find extremely beautiful.

This is a sort of map that shows the structure of this particular belt. It is comprised of 38 rows. 

A ceremony of some sort that is being commemorated with a Belt of Wampum (seem in the foreground).

 

A video on how to make a Wampum Belt 

Interview about the Belt of the Present. 

Some links detailing the Belt of Wampum:

http://www.ganondagan.org/wampum.html

http://www.nativetech.org/wampum/wamphist.htm

http://www.nativetech.org/beadwork/wampumgraph/index.html (Create a virtual belt!!)

Wampum Belt that I created on the website above.