Histories
20,000+ Years of Indigenous History in Tsenacommacah
Indigenous peoples have inhabited Tsenacommacah for over 20,000 years. The oldest site that has been excavated is Cactus Hill, situated along the Nottoway river. This site caused scientists to revise their theories about how long Indigenous people have lived here, though Indigenous cosmologies reveal that humans have been here since being placed here by the Creator.
Powhatan Paramount Chiefdom
In the late 1500s a powerful political paramount chiefdom formed, uniting most of the eastern Algonquian groups living in Tsenacommacah. The politically shrewd man behind the forming of this paramount chiefdom had the personal name of Wahunsonacock. He adopted the title Powhatan, and today many believe this title to be taken from the place and tribe he was born into. His political title as the paramount chief was Mamanatowick. Out of respect for his position as a political and military leader, those outside of the tribal groups in Tsenacommacah should refer to him as paramount chief Powhatan or the Mamanatowick.
The Mamanatowick inherited the rule of 6 eastern Algonquian tribes from his mother, then through warfare, alliances, and coercion amassed a paramount chiefdom that consisted of between 30 and 34 tribes at its height. This chiefdom was unique amongst the Indigenous nations along the mid-Atlantic and was at its height when, in 1607, English colonizers invaded Tsenacommacah and established a settlement on an unsettled island in the territory of the Paspahegh.
The Paspahegh were one of the tribes in the Mamanatowick's paramount chiefdom, living in and around today's Williamsburg, Virginia. Under paramount chief Powhatan's leadership they and other tribes in the area made contact with the English colonizers and established a diplomatic relationship. Diplomatic relationships for Native peoples are defined by reciprocity and gift exchange. The English, not knowing the customs of the land they invaded, broke the rules of diplomatic gift exchange, and as a result insulted the tribal groups. This caused a back and forth relationship of alliance and warfare.
Artistic Adaptations of Eastern Algonquian people in the Outer Banks, based on the John White Watercolors
Artistic Adaptation of Powhatan and his Wives and Advisors, taken from the John Smith map
Artistic Adaption of an Eastern Alonquian Town in the Outer Banks, based on the John White Watercolors