Tribe Members
Infants
First let's talk about the youth of the tribe, starting first with the infants. Babies born into the Shawnee tribe were strapped to cradle boards. This was done because they believed it would have the baby grow straight and strong. One unique characteristic of Shawnee indians is they all have flat spots on the back of their heads, strapping their heads to the boards during infancy is what caused that. The babies were also bathed in cold water every day to build up their endurance.
Children
Shawnee children were encouraged to play games. The games they played were designed to develop strength, resourcefulness, and necessities of adulthood. Boys were given bows and arrows and did a lot of jumping, swimming and running to build up their agility. Through play the boys learned how to hunt, fish, trap, and discipline.
Both the boys and girls were taught from early on to respect the elders. The elders, in turn, would teach the young the traditions o
Both the boys and girls were taught from early on to respect the elders. The elders, in turn, would teach the young the traditions o
The Women
The role of the women in Shawnee society was basically equivalent to a grunt. They were in charge of farming, cleaning game, and building the homes. The women often worked together, but they had complete rights to her things. For example, a woman had full control of her farm patch. Not even her husband could take an ear of corn without permission.
The Men
The men were in charge of supplying the main sustenance. The Shawnee farming practices and foraging were not on a large enough scale for them to be able to survive on it alone. They often went on extended hunting trips, when they got a kill they would hang it from a tree until they could return to get it on their trip back to the village.
The men also did help the women farm, but only to an extent.
Another duty of the men was in special circumstances. If a man's brother died, it was then his responsibility to marry the widow. This sorrel polygyny was enforced among the Shawnee. And if a man had a sister it was his duty to arrange her marriage.
The men also did help the women farm, but only to an extent.
Another duty of the men was in special circumstances. If a man's brother died, it was then his responsibility to marry the widow. This sorrel polygyny was enforced among the Shawnee. And if a man had a sister it was his duty to arrange her marriage.
Clark, Jerry, ed. 2007. The Shawnee. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky pp. 29-32