Photo Essay Contest
During my visit home last weekend, after the Betty's Neck walking tour, we stopped at an ancient Indian burial ground nearby. I was told it was from the Wampanoag tribe. An ethereal and spiritual spot, I found it fascinating.
Offerings of shells, feathers, and stones seemed to be laid with great reverance and beauty.
The trees above swirled with spirits and a great sense of tranquility descended on us.
Another set of natural offerings 
A circle of pine needles with wood chips and leaves.
Cedar tree with feathers and stones
Can you see the face in this tree?
I wish I'd done more research on the tribe and location. If anyone has special knowledge about it, please post it below! Thanks for coming with me on this very special journey. ;o)
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Comments: 30
The Wampanoag tribe were one of the largest tribes in Massachusetts. their Chief, Massasoit, greeted the Pilgrims at Plymouth and was willing to tolerate their presence, hoping that they would become allies. Squanto, a young male, was permitted to help teach the Pilgrims the agricultural techniqes they needed to survive.
Later things turned sour. Massasoit's son, "King Phillip" (that was not his real name) eventually decided that the English had to go before they took all the land away from the Wampanoag. His surprise attack took many lives, but the response of the English was even more deadly. "King Phillip" was eventually tracked down and killed, and many of the Wampanoags were enslaved. It is not a pretty story. one episode was the distribution of blankets contaminated with smallpox to indians- who had no immunity to the disease.
There are actually a few Wampanoag descendants in the USA.
Here in Virginia, the Powhatan confederation had the exact same pattern of initial alliance with the whites, beginnig a few years earlier in 1607, followed by genocidal warfare when it became crystal clear that the whites fully intended to take every square foot of land away from them and drive them West to compete with other tribes for survival.
Here in Virginia, the survivors of the Powhatans (The Mataponi and the Pamunkey) are still trying to get official status as tribes, because the government of Virginia for decades struggled to prove that Indians did not exist as a race. Some whites still argue against this measure, fearing that it will result in casino gambling, though the tribes insist that it will not. The City of hampton has worked for years to create a reservoir that would flood part of the Mataponi reservation in order to secure a water supply. It's embarrassing that poor tratment of native americans still persists.
Aaron, I though your photos and hike were both wonderful. Thank you.
Thank you for another glimpse into your wonderful world
Yes, I can see the face in the tree.
thanks for this, great to see. I've just been writing a textbook chapter about music in the early colonies, and reading about the Wampanoag as part of that. The Plimouth Plantation web site has lots of information, starting here: http://www.plimoth.org/discover/wampanoag-life/
Hi, Tonja! Great to hear from you. ;o)
Thanks Tonya, I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Hey, Karolyn - thanks!
Hey, Bob. I am behind again! LOL. Only got four hours sleep again, so I'm gonna try to hit the hay and start over tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing what you came up with. ;o)
Thank you very much, Wilma. Attention to detail has always been a big part of me, I guess. ;o)