The Iroquois And Apache Tribes

Native American people, who lived in America before us, had a unique way of doing things. In different tribes the people did different things. They had similarities and differences related to government, beliefs and customs. I am going to show you the similarities and differences between the Apache tribe and the Iroquois tribes. I am going to tell you the similarities and differences in government, beliefs, and customs of these two tribes.

Introduction

The Iroquois Government

The Iroquois tribes included; Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, and the Seneca.

These tribes formed an alliance called the Iroquois Confederacy.

The Tuscarora tribe was later admitted as the sixth tribe of the Iroquois.

The Iroquois mainly lived in New York State, but some lived in Canada.

The Iroquois Confederacy was governed by the Iroquois Great Council.

The Great Council agreed on political decisions. These politicians were called "chiefs”.

The long house is built out of wood and bark from the forest around.

The long house housed about one clan, which are about sixty people.

The Iroquois gathered wild foods and they grew corn, beans, and squash.

The Iroquois men wore; breech clothes, long leggings.

The Iroquois women wore; wraparound skirt, short leggings, a tunic called an over dress.

Both wore; moccasins, long, heavy robes during the winter.

The Iroquois tribes each had their own language, but they were similar. Most men learned Mohawk, because Mohawk was the language they used at the Great Council.

The Iroquois Customs

The Iroquois Beliefs The Iroquois believed in an omniscient "Great Spirit”

Dreams are supernatural signs that express the desires of their soul.

The Iroquois have six major religious ceremonies; Maple, Planting, Strawberry, Green Corn, Harvest, and Mid-Winter.

The Iroquois believed in an afterlife.

They would join the Good Spirit, as long as they honored the Good Spirit, they would live a good life.

The Apache Government The Apache did not have a central

government.

Different groups had their own leaders.

Sometimes they would camp near other groups.

Small groups would come together and form a band.

Famous leaders of the Apache were Geronimo and Cochise.

The Apache Customs The Apache tribe lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and

Oklahoma.

They lived in many different types of homes; The hogan, The kowa, The wickiup, The tipi

The hogan was dome-shaped and made of logs and sticks.

The kowa was built with cottonwood.

The wickiup is cone-shaped and made with thicker branches covered with brush.

The tipis were made with buffalo hide and were kept up by sticks. They had more room than the wickiup.

The Apache Beliefs The Apache believed their God created

them.

The Apache believe that their ancestors are living among them as nature; rocks, trees, wind.

They treat nature with respect because that there are ancestors are nature.

Water was used to wash away evil spirits.

Both Tribes’ Government The Iroquois had 6 tribes, and the

Apache had many bands.

The Iroquois were led by the Great Council.

The Apache had no central government. Small groups of Apache families travelled together. Each group had their own leader.

Both Tribes’ Customs Iroquois lived in New York and Canada. Apache

lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma

The Iroquois lived in Long Houses. Apache lived in hogans, kowas, wickiups, and tipis.

The Long Houses held about 60 people, and the Apache homes held a family.

Apache were; hunters, gatherers, farmers. Iroquois were; hunters, gatherers, fishers, farmers

Both Tribes’ Beliefs Both the Iroquois and the Apache believed in a

higher power, which they believed created them.

The Iroquois believed in the all knowing Great Spirit.

The Apache believed in God.

Both the Iroquois and the Apache believed you could communicate with their God.

The Iroquois communicated by burning tobacco and the Apache communicated with song and dance.

THE END

The Iroquois and Apaches have many similarities and differences. They had similarities and differences in government, beliefs, and customs. They lived in two different areas, and seemed more different than similar, except in beliefs.