Wampum Belts of the Iroquois

For generations wampum, the beaded belts and strings created from drilled shells and porcupine quills, have been used for personal decorations as well as official purposes and religious ceremonies. Wampum was introduced to the Iroquois at the time of the founding of the League of the Five Nations by Hiawatha, who taught the Five Nations that wampum should bring peace and bind peace and take the place of blood. Wampum came to be regarded as sacred. No Iroquois individual or nation would think of breaking a word or treaty if the treaty was made over a sacred wampum belt.

Guided by teacher Tehanetorens, students of the Indian Way School at Akwesasne Mohawk Nation in New York present their authentic, bead-for-bead replicas of sacred Iroquois wampum belts and strings, along with descriptions of the meanings of each piece anyhow they fit into the history of the Iroquois People.