|
|
| Total population |
1638: 460 (est.)
1774: 71 (est.)
2000: Unknown, theorized as zero |
| Significant populations: | Historically centered in Connecticut, United
States. |
| Language | Quiripi |
| Related ethnic groups |
Native Americans
North American natives
Eastern Woodlands natives
|
The -- also spelled ''Quinnipiac'' -- is the Anglo name for the '''Eansketambawg''' (meaning "We, the original, surface-dwelling people") a
Native American nation of the
Algonquin family who inhabited south-central
Connecticut in the area around what is now the present-day city of
New Haven and
New Haven Harbor .
The Eansketambawg were divided into four groups led by sachems:
- the in New Haven (led by Momauguin)
- the in North Haven
- the or '''Menunkatuck''' in Guilford (led by Shaumpishus, sister of Momaugin)
- the band in Branford
The name ''Quinni-pe-auke'' has been translated by some as ''"long water river"'' or ''"long-water land or country"'' in the tribe's language
Quiripi , which is an Eastern Algonquin dialect. The nation's name may therefore mean "people from the long-water land." Other sources claim the word Quinnipiac was "quinnuppin-uk," defined as "a turning point; to make a change in the direction of travel."
The Quinnipiacks were first contacted by Europeans in 1614.
Dutch explorer
Adriaen Block is generally held to probably have been the first non-native visitor with the tribe, and there is evidence that the Quinnipiacks engaged in a significant trade of
Beaver pelts with the Dutch. Tribal history before this period is not well known.
In 1637, s in what is now New Haven, the
Montowese of what is now
North Haven , the
Shaumpishuh/Menunkatuck of modern
Guilford , and the
Totoket s of present-day
Branford . It has since been argued that the Montowese were not in fact fully members of the Quinnipiacks, and that they were actually the kinsmen of a tribe located in what is now
Middlesex County .
Prior to the encounter with the English settlers, the Quinnipiacks had been engaged in warfare with the
Pequot s, a tribe located to the east. The tribe had also been weakened by the spread of European diseases. Knowing that their situation was precarious in the face of such challenges, the
Sachem of the tribe engaged in an alliance with the Puritan settlers. In exchange for ceding the tribe's territory around New Haven harbor, the settlers would provide for defense of the Quinnipiacks and also give the tribe a list of goods, which included coats, hatchets and knives. This agreement was sealed in a treaty in November of 1638.
After the treaty was signed, the Momaugin band moved to a new settlement on the eastern side of the harbor. The native settlement was soon dwarfed by the expanding New Haven colony. Relations between the settlers and Quinnipiacks, however, remained relatively amicable. In 1657, the Quinnipiacs attempted to purchase a tract of land at Oyster Point for agricultural use. The sale never materialized because the Quinnipiack refused to the colonists' condition of killing the Indians' dogs.
In 1675, Quinnipiac tribesmen fought alongside Englishmen against the
Wampanoag s in
King Philip's War . Quinnipiacks also served in many expeditions to
Canada and the
Caribbean .
In the early 18th century, the tribe continued to dwindle, though not by any action by the local colonists. As the Quinnipiack's population declined, much of their remaining land was purchased by settlers and absorbed into new communities. By 1850, it was largely concluded that the Quinnipiacks no longer existed as a distinct or extant tribal culture.
The Quinnipiacks inhabited an area extending over much of modern
New Haven , with their territory stretching more or less west to
Milford , east to Guilford, and north to
Meriden .
Like many
Eastern Woodlands tribes in
New England , the Quinnipiacks lived in
Wigwam s made of local materials such as timber, bark, and sod. They were used year-round and sometimes featured fireplaces made of stone and an aperture in the wigwam's roof that served to release smoke. The skins of animals were sometimes attached to the outside of the wigwam to provide further insulation against cold winter winds.
The tribe subsisted on a variety of local foodstuffs, most notably the traditional
Maize ,
Beans and
Squash . Shellfish was harvested from the waters of
Long Island Sound , and hunters would track deer in the hilly forests of the region.
The Quinnipiack were noted for the speed of and maneuverability of their elm bark canoes, which they used to catch shellfish. They frequently fished and camped along the Quinnipiac and were fond of seafood.
The Quinnipiack never became riders of horses. Instead, they hiked and ran through a network of footpaths that connected them with other tribes, including one to
Farmington to visit their cousins, the
Tunxis Indians. Since Europeans often got lost, they hired young Quinnipiacks as their guides.
The Quinnipiack language is known as
Quiripi . No modern-day speakers of it are known to exist.
The Quinnipiack venerated a local ridge formation now known as
Sleeping Giant as a dwelling place for their spirits.
One legend describes how the evil spirit Hobbomock, angry at his people's neglect, changed the course of the
Connecticut River from Quinnipiack territory to the east. He did so by stomping his foot in what is now called
Middletown, Connecticut . Kiehtan, spirit of good, cast a sleeping spell on Hobbamock, turning him into the Sleeping Giant. Hobbamock was said to be overly fond of
Oyster s. He was used as a '
Bogeyman ' by which Quinnipiack mothers frightened their children into submission.
A number of modern institutions bear names of Quinnipiack origin.
For a time, Quinnipiac University used the name "Quinnipiac Braves" for their athletics teams. This was changed to "Quinnipiac Bobcats" in 2002 out of concerns for misrepresenting the tribe and portraying them in an inaccurate, racist, or sacrilegious fashion.
- Sleeping Giant State Park Trail Map (undated)
- History of the Indians of Connecticut (by John DeForest)
- The Quinnipiac Indians and their Reservation (by Charles H. Townshend)
- Townsend Heritage (by Doris B. Townsend)
