Native American Women in History by Frederick Webb Hodge

Native American Women - Page 5

<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next >>

From what has been said it is evident that the authority possessed by the Indian husband over his wife or wives was far from being as absolute as represented by careless observers, and there is certainly no ground for saying that the Indians generally kept their women in a condition of absolute subjection. The available information, instead, shows that while the married woman, because of her status as such, became a member of her husband's household and owed him certain important duties and obligations, she enjoyed a large measure of independence and was treated with great consideration and deference, and had a marked influence over her husband. Of course, various tribes had different conditions to face and possessed different institutions, and so it happens that in some tribes the wife was the equal of her husband, and in others she was his superior in many things, as among the Iroquois.

Two Indian princesses on horseback, Edward S. Curtis, 1910.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

In most, if not in all, the highly organized tribes, the woman was the sole master of her own body. Her husband or lover, acquired marital control over her person by her own consent or by that of her family or clan elders. This respect for the person of the native woman was equally shared by captive alien women. Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, the wife of a clergyman, and a captive in 1676 for 12 weeks among the fierce Narraganset tribe, bears excellent witness to this fact. She wrote: "I have been in the midst of those roaring lions, and savage bears, that feared neither God, nor man, nor the devil, by day and by night, alone, and in company; sleeping, all sorts together, and not one of them ever offered the least abuse or unchastity to me in word or in action."

Roger Williams, and English Theologian and Native American supporter, said with respect for the woman's view: "So did never the Lord Jesus bring any unto his most pure worship, for he abhors, as all men, yea, the very Indians, an unwilling spouse to enter into forced relations" At a later day, and in the face of circumstances adverse to the Indians, General James Clinton, who commanded the New York division in the Sullivan Expedition in 1779 against the hostile Iroquois, paid his enemies the tribute of a soldier by writing in April, 1779, to Colonel Van Schaick, then leading the troops against the Onondaga, the following terse compliment: "Bad as the savages are, they never violate the chastity of any woman, their prisoners." However, there were cases in various tribes of violation of women, but the guilty men were regarded with horror and aversion. The culprits, if apprehended, were punished by the kindred of the woman, if single, and by her husband and his friends, if married.

Among the Sioux and the Yuchi tribes, men who made a practice of seduction were in grave bodily danger from the aggrieved women and girls, and the resort by the latter to extreme measures was sanctioned by public opinion as properly avenging a gross violation of woman's inalienable right, the control of her own body. The dower or bride price, when such was given, did not confer, it seems, on the husband, absolute right over the life and liberty of the wife: it was rather compensation to her kindred and household for the loss of her services.

Among the Navajo, the husband possessed very little authority over his wife, although he often "obtained" her by the payment of a bride price or present.

Among all the tribes, women, during her menstrual period, and, among many of the tribes, during the period of gestation and childbirth, was regarded as abnormal, extra-human, and sacred, in the belief that her condition revealed the magic power so potent, that if not segregated from the ordinary haunts of men, would disturb the usual course of nature. Therefore, she was tabooed, during these periods; however, these recurrent and temporary taboos did not affect the status of the woman in the social and political organization, in any way, detrimental to her interests.

No-ah-tah, Medicine Woman, Harris & Ewing, 1913.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

It also appears also that in many instances woman aspired to excel in some of the vocations which might be regarded as peculiar to the male sex, such as hunting, fishing, fowling, and fighting beside the man. At times, she was famed, even notorious, as a sorceress. Some of the weirdest tales of sorcery and incantation are connected with the lives and deeds of noted woman sorcerers, who delighted in torture and in destruction of human life.

Some maintain that the institution of maternal descent tends to elevate the social status of women. However, apart from the independence of the women, brought about by purely economic activities arising from the cultivation of the soil, it is doubtful whether the women ever attained any large degree of independence and authority aside from this potent cause.

Without a detailed and carefully compiled body of facts concerning the activities and the relations of the sexes, and the relation of each to the various institutions of the community, this question cannot be satisfactorily decided.

The information concerning the rights of women, as compared with those of men, found in historical accounts of various tribes are so meager and indefinite that it is difficult, if not impossible, to define accurately the effect of either female or male descent on the status of the woman. It is apparent; however, that among the sedentary and agricultural communities, the woman enjoyed a large, if not a preponderating, measure of independence and authority, greater or less in proportion to the extent of the community's dependence for daily sustenance on the product of the woman's activities.

Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser/Legends of America, March, 2010.

About the Article: The majority of this historic text was published in the Handbook of American Indians, written by Frederick Webb Hodge and published in 1906. Hodge (1864-1956) was an editor, anthropologist, archaeologist, and historian who published more than 350 items, including books, monographs, and articles in scientific and historical journals. In addition to his research, excavations, and writing activities, he was employed by the Smithsonian Institution, the Bureau of American Ethnology, the Museum of the American Indian in New York City; as well as serving as a member and officer of several organizations.

Though the essence of his article is essentially intact, the text that appears on these page is far from verbatim, as additions, updates, and editing have occurred for clarity and ease for the modern reader.

Oglala Sioux women and children seated inside an uncovered tipi frame, John Grabill, 1894.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!

<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next >>

From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Vintage Photographs of the Old West - From our personal Photo Print Shop, you can now order prints that provide dramatic glimpses into the rich heritage of the American West. From notorious outlaws, to Indian Chiefs, buffalo roaming the range, and pioneers on the trail, this varied collection grows daily.