Tribal Setup
The Shawnee summer villages were permanent homes that they merely left behind in the winter. Since they lived in such heavily wooded areas it would have been pointless, if not impossible to adopt portable homes, like plains indians. They were surrounded with an abundance of materials to build with and the traditional wigwam only took a few days to construct. They were single family dwellings, with bark or hide walls and board homes eventually replaced them. The large building you'll see in the picture to the left is known as the Msikamekwi, or the council house. You'll find these in the larger villages.
The Shawnee believed their allegiance came first to their community. Outside the immediate family their ties with relatives weren't very strong. At birth they're given names according to one of the five name groups, associated with totemic names. It has some relation to a clan system most indian tribes used, but it didn't impede in their responsibilities to their village.
Shawnee Politics
The Shawnee were headed by village chiefs. There were two types of chiefs; war and peace. The peace chiefs were usually passed down a patrilineal chain. The war chiefs had to earn their title through trials of their skills and courage. Women were able to be village chiefs too.
The Laws of the Shawnee were based on the morality and honesty of the people. When a small offense occurred the families involved dealt with it on their own. When the offense were major, such as murder, it was dealt with on a village basis. Crimes were very rarely committed when the people were sober. Most of the crimes committed under the influence were forgiven, under the claim that "the drink, and not the man, had occasioned the abuse" (Clark)
The divisions of the Shawnee played particular importance in this aspect of their lives.
The Chillicothe indians were known for their supply of tribal chiefs and involvement in political matters.
The Mequachake were revered in their knowledge regarding health and medicine.
The Kispogogi were the main warriors of the Shawnee
The Piqua contributed priests and also were the head warriors
Lastly the Haathawekela were highly involved in political matters as well
The Laws of the Shawnee were based on the morality and honesty of the people. When a small offense occurred the families involved dealt with it on their own. When the offense were major, such as murder, it was dealt with on a village basis. Crimes were very rarely committed when the people were sober. Most of the crimes committed under the influence were forgiven, under the claim that "the drink, and not the man, had occasioned the abuse" (Clark)
The divisions of the Shawnee played particular importance in this aspect of their lives.
The Chillicothe indians were known for their supply of tribal chiefs and involvement in political matters.
The Mequachake were revered in their knowledge regarding health and medicine.
The Kispogogi were the main warriors of the Shawnee
The Piqua contributed priests and also were the head warriors
Lastly the Haathawekela were highly involved in political matters as well
Clark, Jerry, ed. 2007. The Shawnee. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky pp. 2, 28, 33-34