The Narragansett People

How do you pronounce "Narragansett?" What does it mean?It's pronounced "nair-uh-GANN-set." It comes from the Narragansett placename naiaganset, which means "small point of land." 






Where do the Narragansett Indians live today?The Narragansetts are original people of Rhode Island and Connecticut. 






The Narragansett Indians are a Northern Native American people, who once occupied what is now the state of Rhode Island. There were around 10,000 people in their tribe in the 1600's. 
The Narragansett were considered the warriors of their region, often going to war with neighboring tribes to gain land. Their tribe consisted of eight groups, each having their own chief. These chiefs answered to a single lead chief.


 




What was Narragansett culture like in the past? What is it like now?Here is the homepage of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. On their site you can learn about the heritage and traditions of the Narragansett people. 





What about Narragansett religion?Religions are too complicated and culturally sensitive to describe appropriately in only a few simple sentences, and we strongly want to avoid misleading anybody. You can visit this site to learn more about New England Algonquian traditions and symbols or this site about Native American religions in general. 




What kinds of stories do the Narragansetts tell?There are many traditional Narragansett legends and fairy tales. Storytelling is very important to the Narragansett Indian culture. Here's one Narragansett legend about Rabbit and the snow. 


What kinds of weapons did the Narragansetts use?Narragansett hunters and warriors used bows and arrows, spears, and clubs. Fishermen used pronged spears, nets, and bone hooks. 




What was Narragansett food like in the days before supermarkets?The Narragansetts were farming people. Narragansett women harvested corn, squash and beans and also gathered nuts and fruit to eat. Narragansett men did most of the hunting. They shot deer, turkeys, and small game, and went fishing on the coast. Narragansett Indian recipes included soup, cornbread, and stews. 




What was Narragansett transportation like in the days before cars? Did they paddle canoes?Yes, the Narraganset Indians made dugout canoes by hollowing out large trees. They used them for transportation and for ocean fishing trips. Over land, the Narragansetts used dogs as pack animals. (There were no horses in North America until colonists brought them over from Europe.) Narragansett Indians used sleds and snowshoes to help them travel in the winter. (They learned to make those tools from northern neighbors like theCree Indians.) Today, of course, Narragansett people also use cars... and non-native people also use canoes. 




What was Narragansett clothing like? Did they wear feather headdresses and face paint?Narragansett women wore knee-length skirts and the men wore a breechcloth and leggings. Shirts were not necessary in the Narragansett culture, but Narragansett people did wear deerskin mantles in cool weather. Narragansett men and women both wore earrings and mocassins on their feet. Here is a picture of Narragansett clothing and some photographs and links about Indian clothing in general. 




What were men and women's roles in the Narragansett tribe?
Narragansett men were hunters and sometimes went to war to protect their families. Narragansett women were farmers and also did most of the child care and cooking. Both genders took part in storytelling, artwork and music, and traditional medicine. In the past, Narragansett chiefs were always men, but today a Narragansett Indian woman could be chief too. 






What language do the Narragansetts speak?Narragansett Indians all speak English today. In the past, the Narragansetts spoke their native Narragansett language. This language died out more than 100 years ago, but some young people are working to revive it. You can read a Narragansett picture glossary here. 






What was Narragansett culture like in the past? What is it like now?Here is the homepage of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. On their site you can learn about the heritage and traditions of the Narragansett people. 




How is the Narragansett Indian nation organized?The Niantic and Narragansett Indians share a reservation in Rhode Island. A reservation is land that belongs to an Indian tribe and is under their control. The Narragansett tribe has its own government, laws, police, and other services, just like a small country. But the Narragansetts are also US citizens and must obey American law. There are about 2500 members of the combined tribe today.