History of the United States in 100 Objects -- 17: The Hiawatha Belt
Historiansplaining: A historian tells you why everything you know is wrong
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The History of Wampum Belts
Wampum belts were made by women of iroquoisan tribes around the great lakes region, and they would be exchanged in so called condolence ceremonies. These belts were meticulously designed and created in order to mark diplomatic treaties and agreements among tribes and nations. After being exchanged, these belts could be kept in the tribes for hundreds of years and used as neumonic devices by which tribal leaders or elders could recite stories that formed relationships. And it was very important when european colonizers came into the continent that had to learn and often master these diplomatic practices in order to coexist successfully.
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