The Fascinating History and Rich Cultural Legacy of the Mohegan Tribe

The Mohegan Tribe: Who Are They?

The Mohegans, also known as the Mohegan Tribe, are a Native American people who have inhabited the region of what is now known as Connecticut for centuries. With a storied history and a vibrant culture, the Mohegans offer a fascinating glimpse into the past and present of Indigenous peoples.

The Early Days: Origins and Settlements

The Mohegans trace their origins back to the Algonquian-speaking peoples who inhabited the northeastern part of North America. It is believed that they migrated to the Connecticut River Valley around the 13th century and established their first settlement near present-day Norwich.

Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Mohegans

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1547 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	34 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	316 pages
Item Weight	:	1.36 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.75 x 9.21 inches

FREE

As the tribe expanded, they established additional settlements along the Thames River and surrounding areas. The Mohegans had a deep connection to the land and relied on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for sustenance.

Wars and Survival

Like many Native American tribes, the Mohegans faced numerous challenges throughout history. The arrival of European settlers led to conflicts and the loss of their traditional lands. In the 17th century, the tribe was involved in the Pequot War, which resulted in the establishment of the Mohegan Reservation in Montville, Connecticut.

Despite these hardships, the Mohegans managed to preserve their cultural identity and adapt to changing circumstances. They played a crucial role in the American Revolution and maintained a close relationship with the newly formed United States.

The Mohegans Today

Presently, the Mohegan Tribe is a federally recognized Indian tribe with its reservation located in Uncasville, Connecticut. Through their strong leadership and commitment to their heritage, they have managed to revitalize their culture and maintain their traditions.

The Mohegan Tribe operates the Mohegan Sun, one of the largest luxury casino resorts in the United States. This venture has not only provided economic opportunities for the tribe but also helped in preserving their cultural legacy.

The Cultural Legacy of the Mohegans

The Mohegans have a rich cultural heritage that encompasses various aspects of their lives. From their spiritual beliefs to their traditional arts and crafts, their culture is deeply intertwined with the natural world.

One of the key elements of Mohegan culture is their storytelling tradition. Through oral history, the tribe has passed down their knowledge and ancestral wisdom from one generation to the next. Stories about creation, heroes, and historical events have been preserved and continue to be shared during gatherings and ceremonies.

Another significant aspect of Mohegan culture is their connection to nature. The tribe acknowledges the importance of living in harmony with the environment and carries out ceremonies and rituals to honor the land, water, and other natural resources.

Art and craftsmanship also play a central role in Mohegan culture. Traditional crafts such as beadwork, pottery, and wampum shell carvings showcase the skill and creativity of the tribe. These crafts are not only a form of artistic expression but also serve as a means of preserving their cultural heritage.

The Mohegan Powwow: A Celebration of Culture

One of the highlights of Mohegan culture is the annual Mohegan Powwow. This vibrant event brings together people from various tribes, as well as visitors from all backgrounds, to celebrate Native American heritage.

The powwow features traditional dances, music, storytelling, and art exhibits. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange and allows attendees to learn about the Mohegans and other Native American tribes. The powwow is an essential part of preserving and sharing the Mohegan culture with future generations.

The Mohegans have a significant place in American history and continue to be vital contributors to the preservation of Native American culture. Despite the challenges they have faced, the tribe has managed to thrive and maintain their traditions.

By understanding the history and cultural legacy of the Mohegans, we can appreciate the diversity and richness of Indigenous cultures in the United States and beyond.

Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Mohegans

by Charles River Editors (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1547 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	34 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	316 pages
Item Weight	:	1.36 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.75 x 9.21 inches

FREE

*Includes pictures
*Includes contemporary accounts describing the Mohegans
*Includes online resources, footnotes, and a bibliography for further reading
*Includes a table of contents

“There were then given to Onkos, Sachem of Monheag, Eighty; to Myan Tonimo, Sachem of Narragansett, Eighty; and to Nynigrett, Twenty, when he should satisfy for a Mare of Edward Pomroye’s killed by his Men. The Pequots were then bound by Covenant, That none should inhabit their native Country, nor should any of them be called PEQUOTS any more, but Moheags and Narragansatts for ever.” – The Treaty of Hartford, made between the Mohegan and Narragansett after the Pequot War

From the “Trail of Tears” to Wounded Knee and Little Bighorn, the narrative of American history is incomplete without the inclusion of the Native Americans that lived on the continent before European settlers arrived in the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the first contact between natives and settlers, tribes like the Sioux, Cherokee, and Navajo have both fascinated and perplexed outsiders with their history, language, and culture. In Charles River Editors’ Native American Tribes series, readers can get caught up to speed on the history and culture of North America’s most famous native tribes in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known.

Among all the Native American tribes, the Mohegan people are some of the most well documented Native Americans in history. Indigenous to the northeast region of what is now the United States, they were among some of the earliest contacts Europeans had with the native tribes. And yet they have remained a constant source of mystery.

When European settlers began to colonize areas like Plymouth and New Amsterdam, they quickly came into contact with various natives, including the southeast Connecticut based Mohegan, who were once part of a unified tribe with the Pequot but now considered that group a mortal enemy. In fact, the entangled nature of the tribes meant that European colonists who could barely distinguish between the groups often found themselves in makeshift alliances, and during the Pequot War in the 1630s, the Pequot were nearly wiped out.

Though the Mohegan helped the colonists during that war and benefited from it, the tribe itself would begin to languish as the United States expanded. By the 20th century, the Mohegan tribe was on the verge of having its last native speaker die, and suffering the extinction of their original language. Fortunately, anthropologists and some of the Mohegans remaining helped to keep their culture and language alive, and today there is a federally recognized Mohegan tribe that lives on a reservation near their original homeland in Connecticut.

Native American Tribes: The History and Culture of the Mohegans examines the Mohegan people, from their origins to their decline, as well as their revival. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Mohegans like never before, in no time at all.