Understanding Piqua Shawnee History and Culture

 

The Piqua Shawnee people are part of the larger Shawnee tribe that inhabited the north and southeast area of North America for many centuries. Today, they primarily reside in Alabama and are officially recognized as one of the many Native American tribes we have in America today. They have historically lived with other Indian tribes around the area for centuries. Many historians agree that the Shawnee people formerly resided in the area in what is today known as the State of Ohio, before moving to other areas around the region such as Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Alabama.

 

The tribe at http://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Piqua_Shawnee was nomadic due to the constant hostilities they faced from other native tribes. When European settlers arrived, they pushed the Shawnee further towards Oklahoma where they were settled on the reserved land. Accounts of the Shawnee escaping conflict and traveling as further as the state of New York are well-known. They had a booming population prior to the arrival of European settlers, but their numbers were cut down due to wars and diseases mainly brought by the settlers. It's interesting to learn that prior to the Europeans arrival; there were no diseases such scarlet fever or flue. It's estimated that there are over 15,000 members of the Shawnee tribe in America at present. Today, a majority of the members of this tribe primarily speak English and do not speak nor understand their native language. Other than language, they've integrated with other cultures, though there are some who still practice the traditional Shawnee way of life.

 

The Piqua Shawnee housing was artistic though simplistic in nature. The tribe semi-nomadic lifestyle mainly influenced the design of the homes. Houses were made from readily valuable materials such as thick grass, cattail, hide and tree bark. On clothing and fashion, women usually wore elongated skirts, when men wore breech-cloths. They loved decorating their faces with paint and maintained long hair.

 

Economically, men and women united to contribute to the wellness of society.  Women from the tribe engaged in farming, beadwork, and weaving while mean were hunters and gatherers. Socially, the community was close-knit; at night they usually congregated for stories and dancing. They are credited for the stomp dance, together with other Native Indian tribes. The overall culture of the Shawnee looks similar to the Cherokee Indians, a tribe they've traded with for centuries, especially in dance and music. Get more facts about Shawnee tribes at https://www.britannica.com/biography/The-Prophet-Shawnee-leader.