In an Iroquois clan, the sachem held more formal power than the gontowisa, who was often a clan leader or spokesperson. The sachem was typically a male chief responsible for making decisions and representing the clan in council meetings, while the gontowisa, often a female elder, played a crucial role in advising and influencing decisions, particularly regarding social and familial matters. However, the power dynamics could vary, as the gontowisa often wielded significant influence Behind the Scenes. Ultimately, the sachem had the title and official authority, but the gontowisa could be equally powerful in guiding the clan's direction.
the turtle clan
the clan mother
The Iroquois was a matrilineal tribe, meaning the Iroquois women owned their homes and children. They were divided into clans and each clan had a clan mother. Many families often lived together in longhouses. Each clan protected each other.
Iroquois towns, or villages, were governed through a council system that included representatives from various clans within the community. Each clan appointed a chief, known as a sachem, who participated in decision-making processes. Governance emphasized consensus and collective decision-making, reflecting the Iroquois value of unity and cooperation. Additionally, the Great Law of Peace, which guided the Iroquois Confederacy, established principles for governance and conflict resolution among the member nations.
One Iroquois clan typically has one chief. The chief is selected based on their leadership qualities and is responsible for making decisions and representing the clan in matters of governance and diplomacy.
a man
In an Iroquois tribe, there are typically 49 clan mothers, one from each of the 49 clans that make up the Iroquois Confederacy. Each clan mother holds significant authority and responsibility, including the selection and removal of chiefs and the maintenance of social and cultural traditions. The role of clan mothers is central to the governance and social structure of the Iroquois.
The Oneida tribe, part of the Iroquois nation.
The Iroquois were placed in their mother's clan, which determined their social status, role within the community, and inheritance patterns. The clan system was matrilineal, meaning descent was traced through the mother's line.
Sachems, or leaders, are appointed to the Grand Council of the Iroquois Confederacy by the clan mothers, who are the matriarchs of each clan. The clan mothers hold significant authority in this process, as they select and nominate sachems based on their wisdom and leadership qualities. This system reflects the Iroquois' matrilineal structure, where lineage and social position are traced through the female line.
When a new Iroquois husband joined his wife’s family, the clan simply made the longhouse longer by adding more bent saplings to the frame and elm bark slabs to the roof. A clan's family totem would be displayed on the doorway.
families and the mothers clan lived in a longhouse