What is Wampum?
I am from the Algonquin/Soiux jewelry Tribe making Wompum jewelry is such a significant part of me as it holds deep spiritual and symbolic meanings to me and other tribes. As we handcraft these pieces of art we reflect our artistic tradition and heritage. We also use jewelry in ceremonial, social, and personal contexts, and symbolizes status, identity, spirituality, and connection to our natural world.
Wampum is made from one of the hardest and most beautiful shells in the world, the white and purple layers of the shell create gorgeous patterns. Every single piece shows a unique and natural beauty. The name comes from an Algonquin word [Wampi' which means white] Only a small percentage of Wampum shells have deep layers of purple and are thick enough to make jewelry. 
Wampum is a vital part of indigenous tribes it symbolizes peace, friendship, and honor. it also is gifted for honor, respect, and treaty/trading purposes. The traditional shell was highly valued and traded by different Native American Tribes, long before Europeans arrived. Later, the new settlers recognized the value of the shell and started to mass-produce Wampum with the 'modern' technology they would keep in their pockets to trade or use as money with American Indians. We called the mass-production shells "faked Wampum". The concept of money was introduced by the Europeans and made no sense in Native American philosophy. 
That is interesting to learn about since I knew nothing prior. Wampum is beautiful from what I have seen, and I like to know that it had so many uses.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's so interesting to me how indigenous people would use certain items to make things. When learning about the different tribes in America in high school i was always fascinated with different regions using different materials to make things based off what is near!
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting to learn about since I am from Sweden and we have never been taught a lot about indigenous people in America. I think it's beautiful how you can use these shells for far more than just decorative meaning.
ReplyDeleteI never knew anything about Wampam and find it interesting how it was used as money by the white settler. Though it also another sad part since those wampam were fake and make me wonder if they even knew that.
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