Photographs (left to right): Squirrel, Hornet, Sea Gull; all Florida

 

Fifty Chiefs Circle of Wampum

Reproduction (R. D. Hamell) Feb. 11, 2013

 

Original Size:	?
Reproduction:	Diameter: 33 inches by 29 inches
Beads:	Double row edge: 588 beads. Strands: 49 with 24 beads. One with 30. Total 1,764 beads.
Materials:	Beads on artificial sinew. Mounted on foam board covered with purple felt.

Description:

According to Hill (1989) the circle wampum symbolizes the Iroquois government. The fifty strings represent the fifty chiefs and the circle the "unbroken continuity of the law".

"Also known as the Circle Wampum, this wampum is thought to be the earliest record because it tells the story of the formation of the Hodinöhsön:ni´ and its relation to the Great Law of Peace. Two strings representing the Great Law and the Great Peace are entwined and form the circle. The strings represents the fifty chiefs standing hand in hand as the protectors of the people who are represented by the inner circle. This wampum records the Peace Maker’s foundation of the Five Nation Confederacy. And it is to always remind the chiefs of their title, equal rank, and seating position in council assembly" (Bardeau, 2011).

Reference:

Bardeau, Phyllis Eileen Wms. 2011. Definitive Seneca: It's In The Word. Jaré Cardinal, editor. Seneca-Iroquois Museum Publisher, Salamanca, NY, 443pp.

Hill, Rick. 1989. Council Fire: A Resource Guide. Brantford, Ontario, Canada.