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The Wigwam, or Green Corn Festival
Before the arrival of the Europeans, Mohegans held several
celebrations throughout the year to give thanks to the Creator
for the earth's many gifts. The annual Wigwam Festival, or "Corn
Thanksgiving," was most important. Tribespeople thanked
Mundu, the Creator and Great Mystery for the gift of corn, a
source of both spiritual and physical sustenance.
The name "Wigwam" comes from the word Wigwomun, meaning
"welcome" or "come in the house." In many ways, the Wigwam
was a community open house and homecoming. Both corn and
home play central roles in the celebration.
History
In early times, the festival was held on the site of the current
Mohegan Church, at a "fair tree." But the tradition started to
fade in the 1800s with increasing pressure for the Tribe to
Christianize and assimilate. Medicine Woman Emma Baker
revived the festival just as Tribal lands started to break up in 1860.
She incorporated it with the activities of the Mohegan Church
Ladies' Sewing Society, making it a source of Tribal solidarity.
Inspired by the chance to retain their identity at a dark moment, the Tribe became determined that this should happen.
Corn
Corn gains increased significance when it is parched and ground
as yokeag. Mohegans have beaten corn with a mortar and
pestle since the earliest times. The act of grinding yokeag ties
Mohegans to their ancestors and each other, particularly through
women. Grinding yokeag is a part of the Wigwam festival and it
might be served a number of ways, including on ice cream. But
corn is also served as the traditional succotash, a combination
of corn and beans, two of the "Three Sisters" of traditional
Mohegan agriculture (with squash being the third).
The Wigwam Arbor
Emma Baker's Wigwam festival included building a brush arbor.
It took eight to ten men to cut and set the poles and then
weave birch saplings along the top and sides, forming a large
enclosure. One entrance was at the east end, and one at the
west, which led to the cook house. Tables were set up for meals
and to showcase items made by tribespeople. The first table was
the candy table, followed by the table of baked goods. In the
middle was the "fancy table" featuring everything from baskets
and carving to beadwork and aprons. Locally grown food was
served at mealtime: clam chowder, oyster stew, succotash and
yokeag.
The Wigwam Today
Like many traditions, the Wigwam festival celebrates tradition
even as it evolves. For many years in the 20th century, the
festival helped raise funds for the Mohegan Church and for
Mohegan activities, and was held in September, after the
harvest. Nowadays, it gives us an opportunity to get together
and share some aspects of our culture with the community at large.
In 2003, in an effort to scale back and return to its roots, the
celebration returned to Shantok after many years at a local
high school. In keeping with tradition, it includes crafts and food
items for sale, plus traditional dance and storytelling.
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