Indian myths telling about the Kachin, gods and teachers.

The Hopi Indians are a people living on a 12.5-kilometer reservation in northeastern Arizona. The Hopi culture, a tribe of Indians, traditionally belongs to a group of peoples called the Pueblos. According to the All-American Census, held at the turn of the millennium, in 2000, the population of the reservation, now creating Hopi tobacco, and previously responsible for making predictions, is 7 thousand people. The largest known Hopi community, the Hopi Reservation once lived in First Mesa, Arizona.

The ancestors of the ancient Indian peoples are the Hopi Indians.
The Hopi supposedly descend from one of the oldest Indian cultures that once built their empires in the states of Nevada and New Mexico. The Hopi Indians are descendants of the legendary Mayans, Aztecs and Incas, whose civilizations developed from the 2nd to the 15th millennium. The Hopi language belongs to the Hopi Shoshone sub-branch of the Aztec language group. Modern residents of the settlement in Arizona, the Hopi continue to call themselves descendants of ancient tribes and custodians of their heritage. According to ancient traditions belonging to the Hopi Indians, this people were originally a mixture of representatives of tribes from all over the Americas, who later identified themselves as an independent people.

The Hopi country took many centuries to form. The first contact of the ancestors of modern Hopi Indians with Europeans took place back in 1540. During periods of severe conquest, a significant part of the Hopi tribe was subjected to forced Christianization. However, this is only part of the tribe. As the elders assure: “The Hopi Indians fought to the end, which allowed them to preserve the faith of their ancestors.” In 1860, a Pueblo uprising occurred, which resulted in the formation of Spanish punitive groups. Fortunately for the local population, the Hopi Indians successfully repelled attacks from the Spanish invaders. As a result, the then Spanish government almost completely lost control over the Hopi and their friendly tribes.

Cooperation of cultures, although not voluntary, had a somewhat beneficial effect on the Hopi Indians. At the end of the 17th century, they borrowed skills in handling domestic animals: donkeys, horses and sheep. And later, the Hopi Indians mastered cattle breeding, and learned how to work with iron and gardening. In addition, unlike the Mayan and Aztec heritage, the Hopi language and their cultural and mythological heritage were not plundered and burned.

However, not everything was so rosy for the ancient tribe. For many years The Hopi Indians were in conflict not only with the Europeans, but also with the neighboring Navajo tribe. Under the influence of the Ataba migrations, the Hopi were forced to move to more sheltered mountainous areas. The settlements built by the Hopi tobacco-growing Indians were named First Mesa, Second Mesa, and Third Mesa. First Mesa was for many years the oldest active Indian settlement on the American continent. In fact, the Hopi Indians lived for decades in villages completely surrounded by the huge Navajo reservation. The warlike tribes were separated only by the Hopi River and mountain ranges, which served as a barrier for settlements. Today, the once warring tribes are at peace and even cooperate on environmental issues.

Hopi tobacco is a true treasure of the Indian world.
Nowadays, the Hopi are not even a tribe famous for their culture or history, but the ancient Indians, who were glorified by Hopi tobacco, grown all over the world, by people of different cultures and peoples. This variety of tobacco, Hopi tobacco, as the name implies, was developed by the Hopi tribe in the distant past, and its smoking preceded rituals aimed at pacification and communication with the ancestors. Thus, the famous ritual dance of the Kachin Hopi was certainly accompanied by the calm and relaxed smoking of a pipe of tobacco. It is believed that Hopi tobacco is capable of revealing a person’s soul; it gives a person the opportunity to fully understand the events and phenomena of the surrounding reality. The variety of tobacco, called Hopi Mapacho, has not spread as well around the world as its cheaper analogues, however, even in the CIS countries it is difficult to find amateurs and professionals involved in the cultivation, production and sale of the true heritage of the ancient Indians.

Hopi culture is the heritage of Mesoamerica.
The name of the tribe, “Hopi,” translates as “peaceful people” or “peaceful Indians.” The concept of peace, order and mutual assistance is deeply rooted in religion, ritual and culture ancient people. Hopi culture, the religion of this people, is radically different from the beliefs of the Aztecs, Incas or Mayans. Unlike their ancestors, who promoted sacrifice, the Hopi religion, which implies respect for things and the surrounding world, is permeated with pacifist sentiments. The labyrinths of the Hopi, their settlements and reservations, were originally built not for protection, but for conducting pacifying rituals in them. In the words of the Hopi themselves: “War is never the answer.”

In their beliefs, the Hopi worship great spirits, the kachina. For several centuries now, Indians have been praying to them for rain or harvest. Hopi culture is based and informed by the belief in Kaichna. They make kachina dolls, give them to their children and sell them to tourists interested in the history of #Mesoamerica. The Hopi still practice ancient religious rites and ceremonies, which are celebrated according to lunar calendar. However, even this people with a rich mythological basis did not escape the influence of mass American culture. Photos of the Hopi, modern Indians, confirm this fact. The American dream has encroached on the foundations of the ancient people more than once or twice.

Traditionally for Indian tribes, the Hopi have developed farming at a high level, with products produced both for sale and for their own consumption. Today, the Hopi are fully involved in monetary and economic relations. The Hopi culture has not lost its uniqueness and independence; it has simply become accustomed to the surrounding realities. Many tribe members have formal jobs and stable income to provide for the family. Others are engaged in the production and sale of multiple works of art, the most notable of which are the drawings of the Hopi Indians, paintings painted in the same ways as hundreds of years ago. The Hopi people live, and their way of life and culture are developing.

The Hopi Indians are the prophets of the modern world.
Speaking about Indian art and culture. For many years, the attention of researchers from all over the world was focused on stone tablets describing the history of the Hopi. Some of them contain frightening prophecies of the future. The Hopi are a peace-loving tribe. But even in their religion there was room for terrifying omens and events. The elders of the Hopi Indians and the ancient stone tablets kept by them are responsible for predictions foretelling the death of the world and the decline of human civilization. The most famous prophecy created by the Hopi is one published in 1959.

According to him fourth world, the world in which you and I live will soon come to an end. As the Hopi say: “a white brother will appear on earth, not the white brother who fights, who is evil and greedy, but the one who will return the lost text of the ancient scriptures and will mark the beginning of the end with his return.”

The apocalypse in Hopi predictions will be preceded by events, so-called signs. There are nine of them in total. The first sign speaks of evil people who will take the land from its rightful owners. The second sign is wooden wheels that will replace horses. The third sign is the invasion of strange animals. The fourth sign is the earth shrouded in iron serpents. The fifth sign is a giant web that will envelop the earth. The sixth sign says the earth will be recolored evil people. In the seventh sign of the Hopi Indians, the sea will turn black and life will begin to fade. The Eighth Sign heralds the merging of cultures. And the last, ninth sign speaks of dwellings high in the sky falling to the earth. The apogee of these events will be the end of the world and the disappearance of human civilization from the face of the Earth. This is how terrible the future seems to be for the residents of the Hopi tribe, a people with a thousand-year history. http://vk.cc/4q4XMl

At different stages of the development of the North American continent, it was inhabited by representatives different nations, in the 1st century AD, even the Vikings sailed here and founded their settlement, but it did not take root. After Columbus "discovered America", a period began European colonization these lands, a stream of immigrants poured here from all corners of the Old World, these were the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the British and the French, and representatives of the Scandinavian countries.

After the seizure of lands, the displacement of the indigenous population from their territory North America- Indians, who at the beginning of European expansion did not even own firearms and were forced to cede their lands under the threat of complete destruction, the settlers became the sovereign masters of vast areas of the New World, which have enormous natural potential.

Indigenous peoples of North America

The indigenous peoples of North America include the inhabitants of Alaska and the Arctic part of the continent, the Eskimos and Aleuts (northern regions of the USA and Canada), the Indian population, mainly concentrated in the central and southern part of the continent (USA, Mexico), as well as the Hawaiian people living on the island of Hawaii in Pacific Ocean.

It is believed that the Eskimos moved to North America from Asia and the distant expanses of Siberia at a time when Alaska and the Eurasian mainland were not separated from each other by the Bering Strait. Moving along the southeastern coast of Alaska, ancient tribes moved deeper into the North American continent, so about 5 thousand years ago Eskimo tribes settled the Arctic coast of North America.

The Eskimos who lived in Alaska were mainly engaged in hunting and fishing, and, if weather conditions permitted, gathering. They hunted seals, walruses, polar bears and other representatives of the Arctic fauna, such as whales, and all the prey was used with virtually no disposal; everything was used - skins, bones, and entrails. IN summer period they lived in tents and yarangas (dwellings made of animal skins), in winter in igloos (also a dwelling made of skins, but additionally insulated with blocks of snow or ice), and engaged in reindeer herding. They lived in small groups consisting of several related families, worshiped evil and good spirits, and shamanism was developed.

The Aleut tribes, who lived on the Aleutian Islands in the Barents Sea, have long been engaged in hunting, fishing and whaling. Traditional home Aleuts - ulyagam, a large semi-dugout, designed for large number people (from 20 to 40 families). It was located underground, inside there were bunks separated by curtains, in the middle there was a huge stove, they went down there along a log in which steps were cut out.

By the time the European conquerors appeared in North and South America, there were about 400 Indian tribes that had a separate language and knew writing. Columbus first encountered the indigenous inhabitants of these lands on the island of Cuba and, thinking that he had arrived in India, called them “Los indios”, from then on they began to be called that way - the Indians.

(North Indian)

The upper part of Canada was inhabited by northern Indians, Algonquin and Athapasan tribes who hunted caribou and fished. In the north-west of the continent lived the Haida, Salish, Wakashi, Tlingit tribes, they were engaged in fishing and sea hunting, led a nomadic lifestyle, lived in small groups of several families in tents. On the Californian coast, in mild climatic conditions, Indian tribes lived who hunted, fished and gathered, collecting acorns, berries, and various herbs. They lived in half-dugouts. Eastern part America was inhabited by the Woodland Indians, such tribes as the Creeks, Algonquins, and Iroquois (considered very warlike and bloodthirsty). They were engaged in settled agriculture.

In the steppe regions of the North American continent (prairies, pampas) lived hunting tribes of Indians who hunted bison and led a nomadic lifestyle. These are the tribes of Apache, Osage, Crow, Arikara, Kiowa, etc. They were very warlike and constantly conflicted with neighboring tribes, they lived in wigwams and tipis, traditional Indian dwellings.

(Navajo Indians)

In the southern regions of the North American continent lived the Navajo, Pueblo and Pima tribes. They were considered one of the most developed, led a sedentary lifestyle, engaged in farming, using artificial irrigation methods (they built canals and other irrigation structures), and raised cattle.

(Hawaiians, even when going on a boat, do not forget to decorate themselves and even their dogs with national wreaths.)

Hawaiians - the indigenous population of the Hawaiian Islands belong to the Polynesian ethnic group; it is believed that the first Polynesians sailed to the Hawaiian Islands from the Marquesas Islands in 300, and from the island of Tahiti a little later (in 1300 AD). Basically, the settlements of the Hawaiians were located near the sea, where they built their homes with roofs made of palm branches and fished by canoeing. By the time the Hawaiian Islands were discovered by the English explorer James Cook, the population of the islands numbered about 300 thousand people. They lived in large family communities - ohanas, in which there was a division into leaders (aliya) and community members (makaainan). Today, Hawaii is part of the United States, being the 50th state.

Traditions and customs of indigenous peoples

North America is a huge continent that has become home to representatives of a large number of different nationalities, each of which is original and unique, with its own traditions and customs.

(Eskimo demonstrates national dance)

Eskimos live in small family communities and adhere to the principles of matriarchy (female supremacy). The husband enters the wife's family; if she dies, the husband returns to his parents' house, the children do not leave with him. Kinship is considered through the mother's side, marriages are concluded in early age by prior arrangement. The custom of temporarily exchanging wives as a friendly gesture or as a sign of special favor is often practiced. Shamanism is developed in religion; shamans are cult leaders. Difficult natural conditions, the constant threat of hunger and death in case of failure in the hunt, a feeling of complete powerlessness before the power of the harsh Arctic nature, all this forced the Eskimos to seek solace and salvation in ceremonies and rituals. Charmed amulets, amulets, and the use of various magic spells were widely popular.

The Aleuts worshiped the spirits of dead animals; they especially revered the whale; when a male hunter died in the village, he was buried in a cave, placed between two ribs of the whale.

The Indian tribes of North America believed in supernatural origin the world, which, in their opinion, was created by mysterious forces, among the Sioux tribes they were called wakan, the Iroquois said - orenda, the Algonquins - manitou, and Kitchi Manitou was the same supreme spirit to whom everything was subordinated. The son of Manitou Wa-sa-ka molded a tribe of people from red clay, taught them to hunt and farm, and taught them to dance ritual dances. Hence the Indians’ special reverence for the color red; they rubbed red paint on their bodies and faces on special occasions, such as girls in the tribes of California and North Dakota at a wedding ceremony.

Also, the Indians, having gone through the development of many peoples of the world, deified nature and its forces, worshiped the deities of the Sun, Sky, Fire or Sky. They also revered spirits, patrons of tribes ( various plants and animals), which were called totems. Every Indian could have such a patron spirit; seeing him in a dream, the person would immediately rise in the eyes of his fellow tribesmen and could decorate himself with feathers and shells. By the way, a combat headdress made of eagle feathers was worn by leaders and outstanding warriors only on very special occasions; it was believed that it had great spiritual and healing powers. Also, a special hatchet with a long handle made of caribou deer antler - a tomahawk - was considered a symbol of the valor of any male warrior.

(An ancient revered ritual of the Indians - the peace pipe)

One of the famous Indian traditions is ancient ritual lighting the peace pipe, when the Indians sat in a large circle and betrayed to each other a unique symbol of peace, well-being and prosperity - the peace pipe. The most respected person in the tribe - the leader or elder - began the ritual; he lit a pipe, took a couple of puffs and passed it further around the circle, and all participants in the ceremony had to do the same. Usually this ritual was performed when peace treaties between tribes were concluded.

Famous Hawaiian traditions and customs are the presentation of flower garlands (leis), which are presented to all visitors by beautiful Hawaiian girls along with a kiss on the cheek. Stunningly beautiful leis can be made from roses, orchids and other exotic tropical flowers, and according to legend, the garland can only be removed in the presence of the person who gave it. Traditional Hawaiian aloha means not only words of greeting or farewell, it reflects the whole gamut of feelings and experiences; they can express sympathy, kindness, joy, and tenderness. The indigenous inhabitants of the islands themselves are sure that aloha is not just a word, but the basis of all the life values ​​of the people.

The culture of the island of Hawaii is rich in superstitions and signs that people still believe in, for example, it is believed that the appearance of a rainbow or rain is a sign of the special favor of the gods, and it is especially good when a wedding takes place in the rain. The island is also famous for the mesmerizing hula dance: rhythmic movements of the hips, graceful hand passes and unique costumes (a fluffy skirt made of raffia palm fibers, wreaths of bright exotic flowers) accompanied by rhythmic music on drums and other percussion instruments. In ancient times, it was a ritual dance performed exclusively by men.

Modern life of the peoples of North America

(Modern streets of the USA on the site of the former homelands of Indians and indigenous peoples of America)

Today, the total population of North America is about 400 million people. The bulk are descendants of European settlers; Canada and the USA are mainly inhabited by descendants of English and French colonialists; the southern coast and countries of Central America are inhabited by descendants of the Spaniards. Also in North America live more than 20 million representatives of the Negroid race, descendants of black slaves who were once brought from the African continent by European colonialists to work on sugar and cotton plantations.

(Indian traditions were absorbed by the urban culture of the growing cities)

The Indian population, which retained its population of about 15 million people (a significant decrease in population due to diseases, various kinds infringements, as well as complete displacement from indigenous lands and habitats on reservations), located in the United States (5 million people - 1.6% of the total population of the country) and Mexico, speak their own languages ​​and dialects, honor and preserve the customs and culture of their people. According to various sources, in the pre-Columbian period, up to 18 million Indians lived in North America.

The Aleuts, as before, live on the islands of the Aleutian Archipelago, are considered an endangered nation, today their population is about 4 thousand people, and in the 18th century it reached up to 15 thousand.

The history of the indigenous population of both Americas is full of mysteries and secrets, but it is also very sad. This especially applies to Indians whose ancestral lands have long been privatized by the US Federal Government. How many indigenous people of the North American continent died as a result of forced colonization is unknown to this day. Some researchers claim that by the beginning of the 15th century, up to 15 million Indians lived in the current territories of the United States, and in 1900 there were no more than 237 thousand people left.

Particularly noteworthy is the history of those whom we know as the “Iroquois.” Since ancient times, the Indians of this tribe were a large and strong people, but now little remains of them. On the one hand, the Dutch and English help initially they allowed them to incredibly strengthen their positions... But when the need for the Iroquois disappeared, they began to be exterminated mercilessly.

Basics

This is the name given to the Indians of North America who currently live in the northern states of the USA and Canada. The word “Iroku” in the vocabulary of neighboring tribes means “real vipers,” which indicates the original warlike nature of the Iroquois, their predisposition to military cunning and deep knowledge in the field of military tactics. It is not surprising that the Iroquois were constantly in very strained relations with all their neighbors, who openly disliked and feared them. Currently, up to 120 thousand representatives of this tribe live in the United States and Canada.

The tribe's original range extended from to the Hudson Strait. Contrary to popular belief, the Iroquois Indians are not only warlike, but also very hardworking, since they developed crop production at a fairly high level and had the beginnings of cattle breeding.

Most likely, this tribe was one of the first to come into contact with Europeans in the 16th century. By this time, many North American Indians had disappeared without a trace in the flames of constant internal wars. Nevertheless, the memory of them remains to this day. Thus, the word “Canada” comes from the language of the Laurentian Iroquois.

Iroquois lifestyle

The social organization of this tribe is a striking example of a distinctive tribal matriarchy, but the clan was still headed by a man. The family lived in a long house, which served as a refuge for several generations at once. In some cases, such dwellings were used by the family for several decades, but it happened that the Iroquois lived in the same house for a hundred years or more.

The main occupations of the Iroquois were hunting and fishing. Today, representatives of the tribe are engaged in the production of souvenirs or work for hire. The traditional baskets found on sale are extremely beautiful and therefore popular (especially among tourists).

When the Iroquois tribe was at the height of its power, its members lived in quite numerous villages, which could contain up to 20 “longhouses”. They tried to place them compactly, choosing those areas of land that were unsuitable for farming. Despite their belligerence and frequent cruelty, the Iroquois often chose very picturesque and beautiful places for their villages.

Formation of the Confederacy

Around 1570, a stable formation of Iroquois tribes arose in the territory nearby, which later received the name “Union of the Iroquois.” However, representatives of the tribe themselves say that the first prerequisites for the emergence of this kind of education arose back in the 12th century. The Confederacy initially included about seven Iroquois tribes. Each leader had equal rights during meetings, but in wartime a “king” was still elected.

During this period, all Iroquois settlements were still forced to defend themselves from attacks by neighbors, fencing the villages with a dense palisade. Often these were monumental walls, built of sharpened logs in two rows, the spaces between which were filled with earth. In the report of one French missionary, there is a mention of a real Iroquois “metropolis” of 50 huge long houses, each of which was a real fortress. Iroquois women raised children, men hunted and fought.

Population of villages

Large villages could accommodate up to four thousand people. By the end of the Confederacy, the need for defense was completely eliminated, since by that time the Iroquois had almost completely exterminated all of their neighbors. At the same time, the villages began to be located more compactly, so that, if necessary, the warriors of the entire tribe could be quickly assembled. However, by the 17th century, the Iroquois were forced to frequently change the location of their villages.

The fact is that mismanagement of soils led to their rapid depletion, and one could not always hope for the fruits of military companies.

Relations with the Dutch

Around the 17th century, many representatives of the Dutch appeared in the region trading companies. Establishing the first trading posts, they established trade relations with many tribes, but the Dutch communicated especially closely with the Iroquois. European colonialists were most interested in beaver fur. But one problem arose: the prey of beavers became so predatory that soon these animals practically disappeared throughout the entire territory controlled by the Iroquois.

Then the Dutch resorted to a rather simple, but still sophisticated trick: they began in every possible way to promote Iroquois expansion into territories that did not originally belong to them.

From 1630 to 1700, for this reason, constant wars raged, called “beaver wars.” How was this achieved? It's simple. Representatives of Holland, despite official prohibitions, supplied their Indian allies in abundance firearms, gunpowder and lead.

Bloody expansion

By the middle of the 17th century, the population of the Iroquois tribe was about 25 thousand people. This is significantly less than the number of neighboring tribes. Constant wars and epidemics brought by European colonialists reduced their numbers even faster. However, representatives of the tribes they conquered immediately joined the Federation, so the loss was partially compensated. Missionaries from France wrote that by the 18th century, among the Iroquois, it was foolish to try to preach using the main language of the tribe, since only a third (at best) of the Indians understood it. This indicates that in just a hundred years the Iroquois were practically destroyed, while officially Holland remained absolutely “pure”.

Since the Iroquois are very warlike Indians, they were perhaps the first to realize the power of firearms. They preferred to use it in a "guerrilla" style, operating in small mobile units. Enemies said that such groups “pass through the forest like snakes or foxes, remaining invisible and inaudible, sneakily striking in the back.”

The Iroquois felt great in the forest, and competent tactics and the use of powerful firearms led to the fact that even small detachments of this tribe achieved outstanding military successes.

Long hikes

Soon the heads of the Iroquois leaders were completely turned by “beaver fever”, and they began to send warriors even to very distant lands, where the Iroquois simply physically could not have any interests. But their Dutch patrons had them. As a result of ever-increasing expansion, the lands of the Iroquois expanded all the way to the vicinity of the Great Lakes. It is these tribes that are largely responsible for the fact that conflicts began to break out en masse in those parts due to severe overpopulation. The latter arose due to the fact that the fleeing Indians of the tribes destroyed by the Iroquois fled in fear to any lands free from them.

In fact, many tribes were destroyed at that time, most of which have no information at all. Many Indian researchers believe that only the Hurons survived at that time. All this time, the Dutch supply of money, weapons and gunpowder to the Iroquois did not stop.

Pay

In the 17th century, the British came to these parts and quickly ousted their European competitors. They began to act somewhat more tactfully. The British organized the so-called Subjugated League, which included all the remaining tribes previously conquered by the Iroquois. The League's goal was to provide a constant supply of beaver fur. The warlike Iroquois Indians themselves, whose culture had been greatly degraded by that time, quickly turned into ordinary overseers and tribute collectors.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the power of their tribe was greatly weakened because of this, but they still continued to represent a formidable military force throughout the region. Great Britain, taking advantage of its rich experience of intrigue, managed to play off the Iroquois and the French. The former were able to do almost all the work to finally expel the competitors of British trading companies from the New World.

With this, the Iroquois signed their own death warrant, since they were no longer needed. They were simply thrown out of previously captured territories, leaving only their original territory near the St. Lawrence River for residence. In addition, in the 18th century, the Mingo tribe broke away from them, further weakening the Iroquois.

The final blow

British diplomats still did not sit idly by, and during the war with the newly formed United States, they persuaded their former “partners” to take their side again. This was the last, but most terrible mistake of the Iroquois. General Sullivan swept through their land with fire and sword. The remnants of the once mighty tribe were scattered across reservations in the USA and Canada. Only towards the very end of the 19th century did the last representatives of this people stop dying en masse from hunger and constant epidemics.

Today, the Iroquois Indians are no longer so warlike, but very “savvy” in legal matters. They constantly defend their interests in all courts, seeking recognition of the illegality of the Federal Government's acquisition of their land. However, the success of their claims remains highly doubtful.

Why does the tribe have such a bad reputation?

The above-mentioned Fenimore Cooper presented the Iroquois Indians as exceptionally unprincipled and cruel people, contrasting them with the “noble Delawares.” This assessment is an example of bias, and it can be explained simply. The fact is that the Delawares participated in the war against Great Britain on the side of the United States, and the Iroquois fought on the side of the British. But still, Cooper was right in many ways.

It was the Iroquois who often practiced the practice of completely destroying their opponents, including killing infants. The warriors of the tribe got carried away and the most severe torture, which were practiced long before the arrival of Europeans. In addition, their bad reputation is largely deserved, since the Iroquois were unfamiliar with the concept of any honesty towards potential opponents.

Perfidy as a way of life

There are cases when they concluded peace treaties with a neighboring tribe, and then completely massacred it under the cover of darkness. Poisons were often used for this. In the understanding of neighboring tribes, such a practice is a monstrous violation of traditions and lawlessness.

The historian Francis Parkman, who had a good attitude towards the Indians in principle, collected a lot of data indicating the widespread prevalence of not only ritual cannibalism (which was characteristic of almost all Indian tribes in general), but also cases of “ordinary” eating of people. It is not surprising that the Iroquois confederation, to put it mildly, was not particularly popular among its neighbors.

Long before Europeans set foot on the American continent, people lived on this land. Wild tribes Indians dominated the steppes and forests of the vast region. There were quite a lot of them - some remained only in chronicles, the descendants of others still live on the land of their ancestors. Who inhabited the huge continents before they were discovered?

Photo: tribalpictures.org

One of the largest tribes living on the North American continent. There is a legend among the Cherokees that they once lived in a beautiful place in the Valley of the Lakes, but were driven out of there by warlike neighbors - the Iroquois. The latter deny this fact - such legends do not exist in their history.

However, when Europeans entered the continent, the Cherokees lived in the mountains. At first, the two peoples fought among themselves, but later the Indians made peace with the colonialists and even adopted their faith and some traditions.

Photo: community.adlandpro.com

The most famous Cherokee representative is Chief Sequoia, who developed his own type of writing, which served as an impetus for the rapid development of the tribe. One of the plants, which looks like a cypress, is named in his honor.

Currently, the number of descendants of the Cherokee Indians, who formerly inhabited the slopes of the Appalachians, reaches 310 thousand people. Modern Redskins are quite large businessmen, they are the owners of six large gambling houses, and are increasing their fortune every year.

Representatives of this nationality have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In the 19th century, some members of the tribe owned their own plantations and were even the largest slave owners. They got their wealth quite in an interesting way- The Cherokees sold part of the lands that belonged to the tribe to the US government.

Photo: invasionealiena.com

Until the mid-19th century, relations between the indigenous population and emigrants from the Old World were fairly smooth. But the rich lands owned by the Indians became increasingly attractive to the new authorities. Eventually, the US government decided to remove the Cherokees from their lands and send them to live on the Great Plains.

The journey to the destination was long and difficult; according to official data, approximately 6-15 thousand members of the tribe died during the transition. The path along which the Cherokees passed received the telling name “Road of Tears.”

Photo: awesome-b4.space

A nomadic tribe constantly waging war with its neighbors - this is how the Apache Indians can be characterized. Skilled and courageous warriors, most often using ordinary bone or wooden weapons (they began to use metal for their manufacture only after the arrival of Europeans), instilled fear in neighboring tribes.

The Apaches were especially cruel to their captives - all members of the tribe, young and old, including women, took part in the torture. It is better to die on the battlefield than to be captured - this is what all their opponents thought. It was impossible to run away or hide from the warriors of this tribe: if you don’t see them, this does not mean at all that they don’t see you.

Photo: Resimarama.net

The most famous leader of the tribe was Geronimo, who terrified the European colonialists. When he approached, people shouted his name and tried to run away as far as possible, sometimes even jumping out of the windows of houses. US airborne troops still have a tradition of shouting “Geronimo!” before skydiving.

In the wars with the Spanish conquistadors, almost all Apaches were exterminated. Only a few managed to survive - their few descendants now live in New York.

Photo: magesquotes-consciousness.rhcloud.com

“Those who are always ready to fight with me” - this is the approximate translation of the name of this Indian tribe. And no wonder: the Comanches were truly considered a warlike people, and they fought both with the Europeans who arrived on the continent and with representatives of neighboring peoples.

Neighboring tribes called them “snakes.” Why such a strange name appeared is not known for certain, however, there are several legends. The most famous one says that during migration, the path of the Indians belonging to this tribe was blocked by a mountain, and instead of valiantly overcoming the obstacle, the wars cowardly turned back. For which they were criticized by their leader, who noted that they were like “snakes crawling in their wake.”

Photo: Wlp.ninja

But the Comanches showed such cowardice very rarely. On the contrary, such warriors had no equal in battle, especially after they learned to ride horses. The Comanches were a real disaster for neighboring peoples, and Europeans were afraid to approach their territory. The Indians took captive only women and children, and if the latter were very small, they could be accepted into the tribe and raised in accordance with traditions.

The Comanches were also cruel to their fellow tribesmen who violated the laws of the tribe. A woman found guilty of treason was killed on the spot; in rare cases, she remained alive, but her nose was cut off.

Photo: Stoplusjednicka.cz

The Iroquois are not one specific tribe, but an alliance of several, called the League of Five Nations. The main occupation was war - the Indians fed their families using rich trophies. Their other occupation, trading beaver fur, also brought significant profits.

Within each tribe included in the union, several clans were distinguished. It is noteworthy that they were usually led by women. Men were warriors and advisers, but the decisive vote belonged to the fair sex.
Photo: Whatculture.com

Representatives of the people who gave the name to the famous hairstyle rarely used this method of styling their hair. Moreover, almost all Indians shaved their heads, leaving only a small strand on the top of the head - the “scalp”, which told the enemies that the warriors were absolutely not afraid of them and even gave them an advantage in battle. If you can grab a strand, you will defeat the Iroquois warrior. But this is not as simple as it seems at first glance.

To protect themselves from various misfortunes - primarily from diseases, the Indians wore special masks, on which the most notable element was a hooked nose. Who knows - maybe such a device really prevented the spread of infections. Number of Indians, according to at least, decreased not because of the epidemic - the wars that the Iroquois constantly waged are to blame for this.

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The most sworn enemy of the Iroquois were the Hurons, an Indian tribe whose population at its peak reached 40 thousand people. Most of them died during the bloody wars, but several thousand still managed to survive. Although the Huron language was lost forever and is now considered dead.

Rituals occupied a special place in the life of Indians. In addition to worshiping animals and the elements, the Hurons showed great respect to the spirits of their ancestors. They also carried out various rituals: the most popular was the ritual torture of captive people. Such a ceremony ended with a not very pleasant action - since the Hurons were cannibals, the exhausted captives were killed and eaten.

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A tribe that disappeared forever from the face of the Earth and whose descendants disappeared among other Indians - a sad fate for a people that was once considered one of the greatest civilizations of its time. The lands of this tribe were lost in the 18th century. This was the beginning of the end - the Mohicans gradually disappeared among other Indians, their language and cultural achievements were forgotten forever.

Oddly enough, an important role in the disappearance was played by the rapid adaptation of the Mohicans to new living conditions. The peaceful tribe, which accepted the faith of the colonialists and their cultural customs, quickly became part of the New World and completely lost their identity. There are practically no direct descendants of the Mohicans left today - only 150 people living in Connecticut can be attributed to them.

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The Aztecs are far from a tribe. This is an entire empire that left behind a rich architectural heritage and a well-structured mythology. On the site of the main Aztec city of Tenochtitlan is now the capital of one of the most developed countries South America- Mexico.

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The Indians left many mysteries. Among them the most famous were:

• The Sun Stone is a strange monolith that looks like a calendar. He personifies all the Aztec ideas about the world order, the past and future of humanity. Some researchers suggest that this stone also used for sacrifices;
• Pyramids of Teotihuacan. In the oldest city that scientists were able to discover in the Western Hemisphere, mysterious objects were built - stone pyramids. They are oriented along one side of the world, and their arrangement completely copies the structure of the solar system. Moreover, the distance between objects is the same as between planets, if, of course, it is proportionally increased by 100 million times;
• Obsidian tools. The Aztecs practically did not use metal - it was replaced by obsidian. Weapons were made from this material, as well as high-precision surgical instruments allowing for complex operations. Unique properties obsidian made it possible not to fear infection - it is a natural antiseptic. Another question is how exactly the Indians made the tools - now such a tool can only be sharpened using diamond cutters.

Despite all the mystery, the Aztecs left a legacy of one thing that is understandable and loved by modern people - chocolate.

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For several centuries now, the legendary treasures of the Incas have been pushing desperate treasure hunters to search for them. But this tribe became famous not only for gold - their cultural achievements deserve much more attention.

The first thing that the territory where the Incas lived is famous for is its excellent roads. The Indians built not only wide highways of excellent quality, but also suspension bridges so strong that they could support a horseman in heavy armor. And no wonder - the Inca Empire was mostly located in mountainous areas, where turbulent rivers flowed, which during floods could easily break the fragile structure. In order not to carry out construction work anew, had to be built to last.

Photo: Hanshendriksen.net

The Incas were one of the few Indian tribes that had their own written language and wrote a chronicle of the people. Unfortunately, it has not survived to this day - the canvases were burned by the Spaniards, who captured the Inca cities, which were cultural centers.

The Indians left behind many secrets, the most famous being the fabulously beautiful mountain town of Machu Picchu, whose inhabitants seemed to have simply disappeared.

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A highly developed civilization that made great discoveries in the field of astronomy, mathematics and medicine long before the Europeans built the first large city. Majestic pyramids and temples, one of the most accurate calendars, a unique counting system - these are just a few of the achievements of the Mayan Empire.

But at one point the residents left the cities and went...where? Unknown. But when the Europeans reached the Mayan habitats, they saw a few tribes who were clearly unable to build all the majestic structures discovered in the jungle.

Photo: Stockfresh.com

There are many versions explaining the disappearance of one of the most developed civilizations: epidemic, civil wars, drought. Some scientists suggest that the Mayans simply degenerated and degenerated.

However, this mystery has not yet been solved, like the numerous secrets that the great civilization left behind.

That's all we have. We are very glad that you visited our website and spent a little time to gain new knowledge.

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Indians- These are the indigenous inhabitants of America, living before and after the arrival of Europeans. The discoverer of these lands, Christopher Columbus, at the end of the 15th century, made a mistaken idea about the Indians, imagining them to be the inhabitants of India. The migration of the Americanoid race began 70 thousand years ago BC. from the northeastern lands of Asia. The northern part of America had 400 thousand species of Indians.
Each tribe had its own speech language, and for some types of people it consisted of pronunciation of gestures and signals. Writing was a form pictograms- information printed on objects in the form of drawings and symbols.
The main attribute of the Indians was wampum- a cylindrical decoration worn on tied cords. Such an unusual object simultaneously served as decoration, a monetary unit and a source of information. To report important information, a messenger delivered wampum over long distances, on which symbols were applied in the form of pictograms. Wise leaders and elders could decipher them well.
The clothing of the Indians consisted of unimaginably beautiful outfits of brightly colored clothing and jewelry. The graceful feathers served as the main difference and the Native American people could not be confused with anyone else. Only wise leaders and elders had the right to wear numerous such multi-colored white stripes intertwined with each other. For combat missions and hunting, warriors painted their faces with red and white paint. Combined with headdresses and unusual hairstyles, the Indian people acquired a uniquely impressive appearance.
The main occupation of the Indians was hunting, farming, agriculture and gathering. Thanks to Native Americans, Europeans developed crops of potatoes, corn and other grains, squash and legumes that were valuable for cooking.
The main weapons of the Indians were the bow and tomahawk. After the arrival of Europeans to new lands, firearms and horses appeared in the Indians' arsenal. This greatly facilitated and accelerated the hunt for prey, especially bison.
The girls were engaged in embroidery of various materials with unimaginably elegant patterns and designs. The men were making various devices and wooden figures. Looking at such art, one could endlessly admire the craft being created.
The most common dish was pemmican, which was a type of porridge. Only women knew how to cook it and it contained a lot of substances beneficial to the body.
Religion among the Indians was associated with spirits. Shamans served as priests. They could dance for a long time with tambourines around the fires, driving away evil and other negative negativity.

Indian smoking pipe

The history of the smoking pipe is about 3000 years. Its founders are American Indians. Its inhabitants deeply substantiated the culture of growing tobacco and making pipes. The materials used were clay, stone, and later wood. The design and shape of the pipes are a work of art, highlighting their exquisite craftsmanship. In ancient times, they were made in long shapes, which required even more complex engineering from the craftsman. Handicraft design, could be done in various forms figures of people, animals and fantastic creatures. The design of the pipes could be complemented by a variety of decorations, which included wax, dyes and a red stone called catlinite.

Iroquois

Iroquois are Indian tribes of North America and Canada who lived in the Middle Ages and Modern times. These tribes were hostile to everyone else and led a more independent lifestyle. Similar neighbors living nearby, such as: Cayuga, Mohawk, oneida, Onondaga And Seneca, with their close-knit association they formed League (Confederation) of the Iroquois V 1570.
The dwellings were large, elongated houses, looking like buildings intertwined with long branches. They were made from elm bark, tree trunks and ropes. The settlements were reliably fenced with protective barriers in the form of palisades and long palisades 4.5 meters .
The main occupation of the Iroquois was fishing, hunting And agriculture. Planted in fertile fields corn, maize, beans And pumpkin. The Indians were skilled woodworkers. Talented craftsmen designed various wooden attributes and weaved baskets.
Iroquois clothing was made from deer skins and tanned leather. The thick material provided excellent warmth in the cold weather of the changing climate. On their feet they wore self-made shoes called moccasins. After contacts with Europeans, clothing began to change slightly to Western European clothing. It was imported by merchants and traders who successfully exchanged with Indian tribes. Soon the clothing included cloth and chintz, and later silk and velvet. The last two materials were used as decorations and were worn most often on holidays.
The arsenal of Iroquois weapons consisted of bows, darts, arrow, knives, tomahawks And metal axes. The handles were decorated with carvings and other painted patterns. In the early historical period tribes dressed wooden armor And shields. The need for such armor disappeared when firearms appeared. The Iroquois were the first of all American tribes to understand the advantage of musket rifles and cannons. Therefore, they successfully adopted this addition of these formidable weapons to their armament.
The Iroquois tribes were good dancers. At ceremonies and dances, a huge number of people gathered. Used for musical rhythm various instruments. They were rattles, sticks, harmonics, pipes, whistles and drums. All of them were made from shells, hooves and feathers of animals, as well as from various plant fruits.
An incredible feature of the Iroquois was their hairstyle. The collected bun of hair in the center of the head was tousled and decorated with various brightly colored feathers. The characteristic image may have changed in a later period and long hair.
The first Europeans to come into contact with the Iroquois were the British and French in the 16th century, who carried out explorations of the land. But the tribes developed the best trade relations with the Dutch in the 17th century. Beaver pelts were in great demand in Europe, thereby driving the Iroquois to war with other territories to replenish their supplies of this booty. The Dutch supplied the Iroquois with good firearms, thanks to which they acquired powerful force within the community.

The Iroquois were very well oriented in forested areas, they could camouflage themselves well and move silently. In any skirmish with the enemy where there was a forest, they won. Quiet retreat and surprise attack were the most common tactics for battle. Many historians describe the Iroquois as the most vicious and aggressive warriors, who showed no mercy to their enemies.

In the 8th century these Indian tribes drove the French out of the New World, taking the side of the British. This is one of the reasons for France's loss in the struggle for colonies in North America. In the War of Independence, the Iroquois were also on the side of England, but lost it, giving way to a new nation of pale-faced Americans.

Huron

Tribes Huron lived in the Middle Ages in the territory North America. Their distinctive feature was the appearance of a tousled tuft of hair at the back of the head. The initial number was 40 thousand people until the Indian tribe was engulfed by wars and disease epidemics. A significant number of inhabitants were reduced as a result of fierce wars against the Iroquois. Ultimately, this tribe was so exterminated that by the end 19th century their number was only 240 people.
The main occupation of the Hurons was cattle breeding, hunting, farming, fishing, and leather making. This tribe participated in successful trade with other nearby settlers.
The Huron dwellings were fairly spacious buildings with a width of 12 meters and height 8 m. The structure included material from coniferous trees, elm and ash bark. The walls of the buildings were intertwined with horizontal and vertical partitions, connecting the ends of various materials that were part of the architecture. The shape was in the form of arched figures. It was spacious and cozy inside. Each family was provided with 1 room with a common corridor. The buildings could have separate compartments for storing reserves of useful resources. They could serve as grain and firewood. The settlement could contain the most basic building of a large size. It housed a council of leaders, in which important issues of resolving various situations were resolved.
During the decline in numbers in 19th century, the Huron tribes began to move from North America to Russian Siberia, and later to Belarus. Therefore, some peoples of this nation have roots of this Indian tribe.

Mohicans

Mohicans were some of the largest tribes that were part of a confederation called Algonquins . The tribes inhabited large villages in what is now New York.
The Mohicans were engaged hunting, agriculture, fishing And gathering. These were the only tribes with a democratic form of government. Management was carried out by the leaders, which was passed on to the next generation. Sometimes the elders were appointed by a special, general council.
In the first half XVII centuries, the Mohicans, like many Indian tribes, were drawn into the beaver wars with the Mohawks. This prompted a significant pushback of the tribes at the beginning 1600s., but later the Mohicans returned to their former lands. Long-term wars and smallpox disease claimed the lives of many Indians. Therefore, the number of Mohicans decreased significantly and led to decline.
During the colonial wars, the Mohicans sided with the French and British, but during the struggle for American independence, they sided with the latter. Outstanding Leader Hendrik Opomut instructed the Indian people to fight on the side of the pale-faced rebels. But after the end of the war, white Americans settled in large numbers on the lands that belonged to the Mohicans. Therefore, the red people had to move to the northern lands of Wisconsin, where they were invited by friendly Iroquois Oneida.

Botocudo

Botocudo- these are Indian tribes South America who lived in eastern Brazil. Their main distinguishing feature is the large rings threaded into the lips and ears. The huge disk was made from a special plant called " Chorisia Ventricosa ". Such a rather creepy type of botocudo significantly frightened the Europeans. In addition, their standard of living was perceived by the Portuguese as terrifying and inadequate. For them, they looked more like beastly monkeys than a civilized person. This contributed to the significant destruction and displacement of South American tribes into the interior of Brazil.
Botokudo had well-developed muscles, wide and flat faces and a small nose with wide nostrils. The appearance of these Indians is more like the Mongoloid race. In addition, the inhabitants of these tribes themselves consider some Chinese to be their related race.
The Botocudo culture is not rich in culture. They wore practically no clothing and practiced a nomadic lifestyle. The main occupation was hunting and gathering. The weapons were a type of thin spears that were made from thin tree branches. Like many tribes, they had a bow and arrows.
The dwellings were a type of huts assembled from branches and wood. Their height was significantly low and unimpressive. The size did not exceed 1.5 meters.
Botokudo had a musical instrument in the form bamboo flute. According to their customs, playing it scared away evil spirits. The southern Indians worshiped the Sun, which, according to their thoughts, brought good. The moon, on the other hand, seemed to be a source of negativity and evil. During eclipses and hurricanes, the Botokud tribes shot arrows into the sky, for their own reasons, thus scaring away the darkness.

Innu

Innu were Indians who lived in the Middle Ages on the territory of the Labrador Peninsula in Canadian lands. Northern habitation allowed these people to show hardened resistance to cold. The area of ​​residence was located among pine and spruce forests, rocky plains, rivers and lakes. This strategic position allowed the Innu to maintain their safety from invaders and aggressors.

The Innu peoples were successful hunters And fishermen. Six winter months They hunted diligently and led a nomadic lifestyle, and when summer came, they set up their camps, where settled peace ensued. They took care of the food supply for the future. The production was processed and sent for storage. Hunting for many types of fur-bearing animals allowed the Innu to make very beautiful fur and leather products with clothing.

Gathering, was also quite varied. Many types of fruits and berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, wild grapes and apples) were part of the diet. The tribe also mined maple sap from numerous Canadian trees.

The Innu were good fur traders. Hunting for a large number of species of animals on the territory of Canadian lands brought excellent profits to this Indian tribe.

The Innu lived in cone-shaped wigwams. They were covered with reindeer skins or birch bark. Everything depended on the weather conditions of a particular area. Their height could reach 4 plus meters. The floor was covered with spruce covering made of spruce branches and could sometimes be supplemented with another flooring made of bear skins. Bottom part The floor was located in such a way that the legs of the resting person were raised to the center of the hearth, for even more comfortable comfort. It was very warm inside the wigwam even in severe frosts. It could accommodate and live up to 20 tribe members.

Deerskin was a versatile material. With its help, many useful attributes for the household were made. The Innu even made baskets, bags and shirts from it.

Dishes and vessels for liquids were made from birch and spruce. The Indians were big fans smoking pipes. The materials used were slate, sandstone and spruce. Sometimes the tube could be covered with bead decoration.

The main means of transportation among the Innu was a canoe and wooden rafts from logs. But in addition to these two types of transport, the northern people also had snowshoes (skis) and toboggans (sleds). With their help, the Innu could easily overcome the snow barrier.

The religion of the Indians was a belief in spirits, which, according to the Innu beliefs, commanded over animals. Thus, the residents expressed great respect for their ruler for the food and harvest they obtained.

Tlingit

Tlingit were the inhabitants Canada And southeast Alaska. These Indians differentiated themselves from other tribes by identifying with the Northwestern culture. Their number in the Middle Ages was 10,000 people.
The main occupation of the Tlingit people was fishing And hunting. For fishing, the tribes had many structures, including a variety of equipment, such as: nets, hooks, harpoons, forts,batons And traps for fish. During such activities, the Indians made temporary shelters in the form of huts. There was no agriculture before the arrival of Europeans. But the Tlingits knew how to make iron and were excellent woodworkers. The Indians carved beautiful poles, decorations, dishes, mats from wood, made furniture, and built baskets. Trade in clothing, furs and skins was also developed.
Tlingit clothing was elegant and varied. It was divided into summer and winter. Even in the summer, the Indians wore fur capes, and in cold weather they added trousers and moccasins. The most valuable material was the skin of beaver, marmot and wolf. Only leaders and elders had the right to wear marten. Clothes were decorated with painted patterns, as were masks with animal heads, which the Tlingit loved to wear. Such masks could be worn in the event of combat battles and confrontations with enemies and enemies. These head capes served perhaps as the main distinguishing feature of the appearance of the southeastern Indians.
The Tlingit diet was rich and satisfying. It contained highly beneficial nutrients from fat, wild meat, shellfish, seaweed and various fish.
The Tlingits were warlike and brave. They often went on military campaigns in numerous canoes. The arsenal of weapons included bows and arrows, daggers And clubs. Their bodies were protected by wooden armor and helmets. At first, the tribes were hostile to the arriving European colonizers, including the Russians. Later, relations with white people improved and even trade began.
The Tlingit religion was mysterious, mysterious and mystical. Among the Indian people there were many magicians and shamans. The most magical number was 4, since this number was associated with 4 seasons and 4 cardinal directions.

Odshibwe

Odshibwe- these are the Indian people who populated the open spaces Northeast America in the Middle Ages. The population of the tribes led a sedentary lifestyle and lived in separate groups until 50 people. Odshibwe were in an alliance " Three lights ", which included the Potawatomi and Ottawa tribes. This trinity fought with the Iroquois and Sioux. The Odshibwe were the most powerful Indian tribes. They controlled their possessions for a long time and could independently conquer new lands. Later the French came and joined the Odshibwe as allies. Supplying and by showing them new firearms, the French greatly assisted the tribes in finally driving the Sioux from their possessions.
Odshibwe were engaged hunting, fishing, gathering And agriculture. Harvesting corn, rice and vegetables were the most basic activities of the tribe. IN XVII century fur trade with Europeans was developed. Cone-shaped wigwams served as dwellings. They were built from birch, willow and juniper wood. The Odshibwe tribes were good artists and designers. They decorated their homes with painted symbols of mathematical, astronomical and other geometric signs. Such carved sketches could even be found on stones.
The Odshibwe tribes developed shamanism and belief in spirits. Shamans successfully acquired healing skills various diseases, learning from each other.
Burials of people took place in specially built small houses, which were marked with special symbols.

The population of the tribe were excellent farmers, skilled craftsmen in woodworking, leather processing, and carpet weaving. Ottawa could produce various medications. An important source of dressings was birch bark, which was used to build wigwams and water canoes. Land cultivation played a large role. Ottawa grew sunflowers, pumpkins, beans, and maize. Wild rice grew on the water rivers, which was collected on konoe and eaten. After farming, the Indians engaged in hunting and fishing.

Indians Sioux lived on the territory North America in river areas Mississippi And Rocky Mountains. The main activities were hunting, fishing, gathering, agriculture, construction, trade And needlework. After mastering the horse, buffalo hunting improved significantly. This large animal was enormous in size and brought in a substantial haul of meat. Like other Indian tribes, the Sioux had a well-developed fur trade. They were able to construct sea crafts well, such as rafts and leather boats. Experienced craftsmen applied picturesque ornaments to the skin and sewed them with beads.
The Sioux knew how to fight well; war was their main hobby. Because of this, the arsenal of cold steel and small arms contained a rich variety of paraphernalia. In addition to the bow, arrows, knives and spears, the arsenal included tomahawks with various types tips for close attacks on the enemy.
The Sioux wore the well-known leather bands on their heads. Only those warriors who had accomplished a great feat could stick feathers into them. They were painted in black and red shades. The leaders wore a whole bunch of numerous feathers, piercing the entire length of the back of the head and back of the body. The Indians wore various amulets and jewelry around their necks. They in some way served as protection and a cure for various negativity. The clothing of the Indians consisted of shirts and trousers, decorated with a fringe of numerous hanging stripes.
The dwellings of the Sioux people were the most varied and tempting. These included round clay buildings, dugouts, huts, and dwellings covered with tree bark. In the middle of the dwelling there was always a place for a fire, and a chimney was built at the top.
Like other Indian tribes, the Sioux developed shamanism and belief in spirits. Often the rituals were accompanied by severe self-torture, but without human sacrifice. On holidays, global dances were held in which guests could be invited. Symbolism in the form of the sun was placed in the center, with a round dance around it.