As we peruse out history books in elementary school, there
is not a lot of information about Indian culture. The fact is that we could have
an entire book to cover Indian culture. Every tribe is unique and has their own
cultural traditions. One tribe that has a very interesting culture is that of
the Oneida people. There are still about 200 members that reside in New York and
a few in Wisconsin.
The people of the Oneida tribe refer to themselves as the People of the Standing
Stone. Originating in upstate New York, you will find a large red boulder just
outside every Oneida village. The Oneida tribe members are members of the League
of Iroquois. These tribes were known for being matrilineal. The woman were just
as much a part of the decision making process as the men were. In fact, it is
the women that elect the leaders and control the agricultural lands. They were
also in charge of the family.
The Oneida has their own language. Only a few of the elders still speak the
language today and they are working hard on teaching the children. Most Oneida
children speak English. The original Oneida language consisted of many different
English sounds.
The Oneida spent their time telling legends and fairy tales. The stories taught
many of the children lessons and morals. Other stories were just for fun. How
mosquitoes came about was a legend that was told by many tribal members to their
young. The children also spent their time playing musical instruments such as
the flute and the drum. The Oneida were also known for their arts and crafts,
especially their mask making.
Another important aspect of the Oneida culture was their clothes. Most men wore
breech cloths with leggings. The women wore an overdress that was much like a
poncho that we wear now. To keep their feet protected, they wore moccasins.
Today’s Oneida tribe members still wear moccasins, as well as beaded shirts.
There is a lot to learn about the Oneida culture and traditions. The best way to
understand the true meaning of the Oneida way is to travel to upstate New York
and visit an Oneida tribe. Look for the large red boulder and you will know that
you are close.
