CULTURE
LANGUAGE
Our Native language is Cayuga. However, because many members of the Cayuga Nation have integrated and are living among the Senecas, many of us are familiar with the Seneca language.
Our Native language is Cayuga. However, because many members of the Cayuga Nation have integrated and are living among the Senecas, many of us are familiar with the Seneca language.
CLAN
Among the Haudenosaunee are groups of people who come together as families called clans. As a matrilineal society, each clan is linked by a common female ancestor with women possessing a leadership role within the clan. The number of clans varies among the nations with the Mohawk only having three to the Oneida having eight. The clans are represented by birds and animals and are divided into the three elements: water, land and air. The bear, wolf and deer represent the land element, the turtle, eel and beaver represent the water element and the snipe, hawk and heron represent the air element. Cayuga Nation has five clans. Each member of the Cayuga Nation belongs to one of these clans. The Cayuga Nation has a maternal ancestry, which means Cayuga mothers will have children of her same clan. Each Clan has a Clan Mother, a Chief or sub Chief or a Seat Warmer.
Among the Haudenosaunee are groups of people who come together as families called clans. As a matrilineal society, each clan is linked by a common female ancestor with women possessing a leadership role within the clan. The number of clans varies among the nations with the Mohawk only having three to the Oneida having eight. The clans are represented by birds and animals and are divided into the three elements: water, land and air. The bear, wolf and deer represent the land element, the turtle, eel and beaver represent the water element and the snipe, hawk and heron represent the air element. Cayuga Nation has five clans. Each member of the Cayuga Nation belongs to one of these clans. The Cayuga Nation has a maternal ancestry, which means Cayuga mothers will have children of her same clan. Each Clan has a Clan Mother, a Chief or sub Chief or a Seat Warmer.
CEROMONIES
The Haudenosaunee have ceremonies throughout the year representing the 13 moons throughout the year. These ceremonies occur at various times of the year often following seasonal changes. Most ceremonies are a way of expressing thanks to the people, the natural world, the spirit world and the creator. It is hoped that this will help to maintain the health and prosperity of the nations.
Each ceremony includes an opening and closing prayer followed by dances and songs. Often various stories special the Haudenosaunee are shared to continue traditional teachings.Music and dance were a major part of the Haudenosaunee lives. Ceremonies and social dances could involve 60 to 70 songs using instruments like water drums and gourd rattles.
The ceremonies are:
Midwinter – Second week in January and lasts for approximately eight days.
Maple Ceremony – Second week in February and lasts one day.
Thunder Dance – First week in April to welcome back the thunderers.
Sun and Moon dance – Beginning of May to give thanks to the sun and second week of May to give thanks to the moon in the morning and evening respectively.
Seed Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
Planting Ceremony – End of May
Strawberry Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
Green Corn – Middle of August
Harvest – Middle of October and lasts four days.
Thunder - November
The Haudenosaunee have ceremonies throughout the year representing the 13 moons throughout the year. These ceremonies occur at various times of the year often following seasonal changes. Most ceremonies are a way of expressing thanks to the people, the natural world, the spirit world and the creator. It is hoped that this will help to maintain the health and prosperity of the nations.
Each ceremony includes an opening and closing prayer followed by dances and songs. Often various stories special the Haudenosaunee are shared to continue traditional teachings.Music and dance were a major part of the Haudenosaunee lives. Ceremonies and social dances could involve 60 to 70 songs using instruments like water drums and gourd rattles.
The ceremonies are:
Midwinter – Second week in January and lasts for approximately eight days.
Maple Ceremony – Second week in February and lasts one day.
Thunder Dance – First week in April to welcome back the thunderers.
Sun and Moon dance – Beginning of May to give thanks to the sun and second week of May to give thanks to the moon in the morning and evening respectively.
Seed Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
Planting Ceremony – End of May
Strawberry Ceremony – Middle of May and lasts 1 day
Green Corn – Middle of August
Harvest – Middle of October and lasts four days.
Thunder - November
HOME LIFE
Years ago, members of the Cayuga Nation lived in houses called a "Longhouse". The frame of the longhouses were made of upright logs and cross poles. Then they were covered with the bark of an elm tree. There were several holes in the roof to accomodate for several families to live inside and each would have a space for a cooking or heating fire. The holes in the roof would allow for the smoke to escape.
Years ago, members of the Cayuga Nation lived in houses called a "Longhouse". The frame of the longhouses were made of upright logs and cross poles. Then they were covered with the bark of an elm tree. There were several holes in the roof to accomodate for several families to live inside and each would have a space for a cooking or heating fire. The holes in the roof would allow for the smoke to escape.
APPEARANCE
Living off what was available in their natural surroundings, theHaudenosaunee made clothing from woven natural fibers, hides from elk or deer, and furs from woodland animals like rabbits or bears. Even corn husks could me used to make moccasins.
Men’s clothing - The primary garment for men of most nations was breech cloth. This was a long rectangular piece of cloth or sometimes soft buckskin worn between the legs and secured on a belt. To cover bare legs men wore long leggings which connected to the belt on their breechcloth. Men might also wear kilts made of soft skins. Finally gustoweh were an important piece of men’s clothing as it was a piece of his identity. A gustoweh is a frame or cap headpiece decorated with beads and most importantly feathers attached in a way that distinguished different nations. For example the Cayuga nation’s gustoweh contains one eagle feather resting downwards off his head.
Women’s Clothing - Women generally wore skirts and tunics or poncho type shirts or dresses. Simple skirts could be a large piece of hide tied around the waste, but could be fringed at the bottom. Women might wear breechcloths underneath their skirts or dresses but they were never worn as outer clothing. Women also wore leggings but theirs were often shorter only coming up to just above the knee. Women’s moccasins were much the same as men though cut slightly different. Women did not wear gustowehs but would cover their heads in a hood in colder weather.
Living off what was available in their natural surroundings, theHaudenosaunee made clothing from woven natural fibers, hides from elk or deer, and furs from woodland animals like rabbits or bears. Even corn husks could me used to make moccasins.
Men’s clothing - The primary garment for men of most nations was breech cloth. This was a long rectangular piece of cloth or sometimes soft buckskin worn between the legs and secured on a belt. To cover bare legs men wore long leggings which connected to the belt on their breechcloth. Men might also wear kilts made of soft skins. Finally gustoweh were an important piece of men’s clothing as it was a piece of his identity. A gustoweh is a frame or cap headpiece decorated with beads and most importantly feathers attached in a way that distinguished different nations. For example the Cayuga nation’s gustoweh contains one eagle feather resting downwards off his head.
Women’s Clothing - Women generally wore skirts and tunics or poncho type shirts or dresses. Simple skirts could be a large piece of hide tied around the waste, but could be fringed at the bottom. Women might wear breechcloths underneath their skirts or dresses but they were never worn as outer clothing. Women also wore leggings but theirs were often shorter only coming up to just above the knee. Women’s moccasins were much the same as men though cut slightly different. Women did not wear gustowehs but would cover their heads in a hood in colder weather.
Sports
Art, sports, games, music and dance were staples in the Haudenosaunee people’s lives and often intertwined in their day to day activities. Every game or piece of art had a second significant purpose. Sports like lacrosse were played by men as a sort of conditioning to maintain and further develop their skills. Baskets, combs and beadwork clothing which are seen as artistic pieces today were made for practical use but with as much love and attention as any artistic piece today.
While children played, most of their games involved role playing to learn what their mothers or fathers do. For young boys lacrosse was a way of teaching the skills of stealth, strength, agility and speed. Girls played with cornhusk dolls to prepare them for their role as nurturers. Another past time of story telling helped them to learn the stories that taught them their culture and the ways of the Haudenosaunee.
Art, sports, games, music and dance were staples in the Haudenosaunee people’s lives and often intertwined in their day to day activities. Every game or piece of art had a second significant purpose. Sports like lacrosse were played by men as a sort of conditioning to maintain and further develop their skills. Baskets, combs and beadwork clothing which are seen as artistic pieces today were made for practical use but with as much love and attention as any artistic piece today.
While children played, most of their games involved role playing to learn what their mothers or fathers do. For young boys lacrosse was a way of teaching the skills of stealth, strength, agility and speed. Girls played with cornhusk dolls to prepare them for their role as nurturers. Another past time of story telling helped them to learn the stories that taught them their culture and the ways of the Haudenosaunee.