12. Mapamond. Information about the Algonquin, Huron and Mohican tribes of North America

On gifts and meanings in the Algonquin, Huron and Mohican tribes of North America

From ancient times and without reference to specific cultures, tribes or people, gifts and their exchange have been part of ritual activities. The reason for this age-old tradition of gift giving and gift exchange is embedded in the feelings generated or reinforced by the exercise: the giver and the receiver. Whereas this exercise is associated with strong positive emotions and feelings.

Among North American natives, varied cultures and tribes, the popular Algonquin, Huron and Mohican have their own concepts, perceptions and understanding of gifts. These concepts and understandings may differ slightly from the general picture of gifts as perceived in North America, but with many similarities. Gifts are generally viewed by Native North Americans through the mirror of generosity, royalty, strength and wisdom. Algonquin, Huron and Mohican tribes see gifts in a similar light.

Gifts, according to the traditional and historical concept of their exchange, help facilitate human interaction and strengthen the bond between people, regardless of their relationship.

Tribe Algonquin

It is very pertinent and interesting to draw the line between the Algonquin people and the Algonquin tribe, because they are not the same, and many people around the world confuse them. Algonquin people refers to the umbrella under which all Algonquin-speaking tribes belong, while Algonquin tribe is like a subgroup of Algonquin people.

It is also interesting to know that based on the history of the Algonquin tribe, they have traditionally followed the male lineage, with leadership roles reserved for clan chiefs and elders, who were usually male. This shows the royal quality of the elders, and when gifts are given to men in such positions, royalty and wisdom are two central meanings celebrated. The same is true when a child presents gifts to parents or an elder. The Algonquin tribe is a great believer in totem poles as representative signs of a clan. Animal totems for the Algonquin included figurines of bears, wolves, skulls and other animal symbols. Men wore colorful trouser cloths decorated with stones and shells. Women wore skirts painted in sacred colours such as blue, black and red for ceremonies. These colours were of great importance to the Algonquin tribe as they painted their faces and bodies with them. This also shows their admiration for fashion. When you want to buy a gift for an Algonquin friend from North America, you should rather select items with the following colours: blue, black and red. When you want to give gifts to a female descendant of the Algonquin tribe, choose jewelry or figurines with bears, wolves or any of their animal totems. Descendants of the Algonquin tribe live in Canada today, specifically in the Quebec and Ontario regions.

Tribe Huron

The Huron tribe is historically known for the fur trade, especially as part of their historic development adventure with the renowned Frenchman Samuel de Champlain. Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635) made strenuous efforts to form trade alliances and to understand and assimilate the culture of Native Americans, despite belonging to very different cultures.

In 1611, Champlain met the Hurons on the island of Montreal. They wanted to make a "close alliance" with Champlain and offered him 100 beaver pelts. Champlain gave the chiefs gifts in return, and was honoured by their gesture. The meeting was commemorated by the Huron tribe, who presented Champlain with a wampum belt (traditional belt) made of hundreds of small shell beads, representing the four Huron chiefs. The original belt still exists in the royal collections of France. Champlain entered into a trade agreement with the Huron tribe, supplying European goods to the Huron tribe, while they offered various furs in return. The Huron tribe wore clothing made from beaver and deer skins. Women wore skirts and moccasins, and in winter they added leggings and sleeves. Men wore moccasins and a one-piece garment wrapped around the body, held on by a belt. For the Huron tribe, red was a unique colour. They had body and face paintings, and jewellery was beaded in various colours, where red had to dominate the colour scheme. They were fashion-loving people, and this is evident in the way they dressed their children, and in the way they organised traditional ceremonies. Since they had contact with the French people through trade, historians have considered that they must have borrowed a sense of value for gifts and ornaments from the French people, positively affecting their way of dressing and sense of value for gifts. Ornaments, clothing and jewelry are great gifts to buy for a Huron friend. As with the Algonquian tribe, descendants of the Huron tribe live in the Ontario region of Canada.

Tribe Mohican

Native Americans include the Mohican tribe. They also traditionally spoke the Algonquin language and were located east of the Algonquin map. The Mohican tribe also had a distinctive style of dress that demonstrates their appreciation for fashion and ornamentation. Like the Huron tribe, the Mohicans used moccasins for footwear. They also shared a very similar love of gifts to that of the Huron tribe.

Finally, our little diversity investigation shows that the Mohican, Huron, and Algonquin tribes of North America have similar, but not completely identical, values for gifts. It can also be said that the value of gifts for these tribes, especially the Algonquin tribe, comes not only from their history and culture, but also from animal totems, a common symbol with positive value. And, very importantly, gifts to these tribes significantly show royalty, strength, wisdom and generosity. Descendants of the Mohican tribe live in the Hudson River valley, just above the Catskill Mountains in New York, USA.

Gifts are appreciated, regardless of culture and time, being equated with respect in human interaction and we hope you enjoyed this article containing information from another part of the fascinating Earth.