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Who were the Lenape? * The Community * Sharing the Work * Growers, Hunters and Gatherers * Shelters and Villages * Clothes * Preparing the Food * Travel and Transportation * Pastimes & Storytelling * Skillful Healers * Beliefs and Rituals * Tobacco Ceremonies * Vision Quests * Burial Customs * The Europeans Arrive * The Lenape Today *20^th Century Groups in the Lenape Homeland

Who Were The Lenape?

The Lenape (len-AH-pay) or Delaware Indians lived in an area they called "Lenapehoking", which meant "Land of the Lenape." Their land included all of what is now New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York State, Northern Delaware and a small part of southeastern Connecticut. As part of the Eastern Woodlands, Lenapehoking had many rivers, streams and lakes and was densely forested and rich in wildlife.

When settlers arrived from Europe in the early 1600s, some Lenape were living in large villages of two or three hundred people, but most of them lived in small bands of 25 to 30 people.

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The Community

Families were important to the Lenape Indians. There were strong ties between parents and children, and among all the related families that made up the clan. The Lenape had three clans - wolf, turtle and turkey, which traced their descent through the female line. This meant that a clan was made up of a matron, her sisters and brothers, all her sons and daughters, and the daughter's children. The sons had to marry women from other clans, and their children then belonged to their mother's clan.

Many of the groups of Indians inhabiting Lenapehoking had well-organized ways of governing their clans and their villages. The chiefs were chosen for their behavior, skill in speaking, honesty, and ability to make wise decisions. The chiefs also had to know about religion, so that they could lead the people in rituals and ceremonies.

War leaders were different. They gained power through proven bravery and success in battle. They were able to gather young men together and go off on a raid - without the approval of the chief.

Within their own groups the Indians were kind to one another. They felt a sense of responsibility towards everyone in their community. They did not steal from anyone in their own village, for there was no reason to do so. The land belonged to the whole community, shelters were shared, and no one hoarded valuable possessions.

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Sharing the Work

Everyone worked, but men and women were expected to do different tasks. By starting at an early age, small children began to learn the skills they would need when they grew up.

The Lenape made the things they needed by utilizing the natural materials around them. Until the Europeans came, they had only tools fashioned from shell, stone, bone and wood.

Women were responsible for the planting and harvesting of crops and gathering of wild foods, and for preparing meals and caring for the children. They were skilled at making clay pots, weaving rush mats and bags, and making baskets. They wove cornhusks for slippers, mats and dolls, and made containers from elm and birch bark. With fibers from the inside of plants, they spun and braided cords for binding and carrying bundles. Women were also responsible for preparing the hides for clothes and shelters. With bone tools, they scraped the hair from the hides and cleaned them. Then they smoked them, cut them into pieces and sewed the pieces with bone needles.

Men prepared land for gardening. They hunted and fished, traded with other groups, and made tools. They were good woodworkers, and made bows, arrows, fishing equipment, canoes, bowls, and ladles. Some warriors used their woodworking skills to make ball-headed clubs.

Growers, Hunters and Gatherers

Many of the Lenape Indians lived in villages for most of the year and grew much of their food. The three most important crops were corn, beans, and squash, known as "the three sisters". The gardening tools were very simple - hoes, and sticks for digging and planting. Some of the crop was eaten as soon as it was harvested, but much of it was preserved for use in winter when food was scarce. What was kept for later use was dried and stored in underground pits lined with bark.

Lenape Indians fished and hunted in all seasons. Using bows and arrows, traps, snares, and spears, they hunted deer, bear, elk and beaver. They also hunted the ducks and other birds that lived in their area. Sometimes hunting and fishing trips took men away from their villages for several weeks. Wild foods were also used. Berries were eaten fresh, baked into bread made from corn flour, or dried for winter use. Nuts were ground up and baked, or were pressed to squeeze out their oil, which was used in cooking. Maple syrup was made by collecting sap from maple trees in early spring.

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(For additional information see The Lenape or Delaware Indians, or The Indians of Lenapehoking.)