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Covenant Chain gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt
Covenant Chain gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt
Covenant Chain gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt
The relative is a Haudenosaunee gahswęhdaˀ wampun belt dated to 1800-1885. It bears motifs of two human figures on a white background connected by a solid dark line. One human figure is made out in white beads and appears to be holding a hatchet. The hatchet is lowered as if it were being dropped, to suggest 'burying the hatchet' (extract from a letter from Horatio Hale dated June 4th. 1885, CMH notes). The second human figure is made of purple beads. The two figures are connected by a solid line of purple beads indicating a "covenant chain" or treaty which concluded the war. Records at the Canadian Museum of History suggest the belt likely refers to a symbolic treaty between the Haudenosaunee and the French Governor De La Barre that marked the end of "the expedition which was undertaken [by him that ended badly] against the Five Nations in 1684". According to John Moses, the relative is described as being characteristic of a variant or version of the Covenant Chain belt which along with the Two Row and Confederacy belts, are the three "core" belts of Haudenosaunee wampum culture.
The belt currently resides at the Canadian Museum of History.
Six Nations of the Grand River
Museum documentation
CMH records
Read More About This Relative
The wampum belt gahswęhdaˀ is made using unsmoked, tanned skin thongs warp, cotton thread (possibly conservation - nylon stabilization thread), and purple and white wampum shell beads.
The gahswęhdaˀ wampun belt is made from woven wampun beads/ pearls.
The gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt depicts two human figures on a white background connected by a solid purple line. One figure is made in white with a purple outline holding what appears to be a hatchet in lowered position, made in purple beads. The other figure is a solid purple body with a white bead in the centre of the upper part of the body.
The belt is believed to be a version of the Covenant Chain.
According to J. Brant, the white background suggests, "[these were] times of peace, made between a native and non-native nation. ...Purple body represents native nation - one white bead represents "good heart". White."
The Covenant Chain Wampum belt likely refers to an early agreement concluded possibly as early as 1694 as a peace treaty between the French and Five Nations. However, the belt itself (at the very least the warp and weft) are still quite supple, so John Moses suggests a later date of manufacture for this particular incarnation of the gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt.
Provenance
The heritage item was donated to the Museum in its earlier form by a member of Six Nations. The heritage item is believed to have been presented by Mr. Peter Hill (CMH notes) and was part of John Gibson's collection. Further investigation of the papers of Peter Hill is recommended to glean if/what other information could be learned.
According to John Moses, by 1870s/1880s, belts and strings were not being returned to the speaker of the Confederacy. In 1924 as a result of a change enacted by the elected council, wampum ceased being seen as cultural patrimony and become seen as family heritage. The RCMP tried to seize the wampum, but irony was that it had already left.
About This GRASAC Record
Unknown maker. "Covenant Chain gahswęhdaˀ wampum belt" GRASAC ID 1081. Located in the Canadian Museum of History, catalogue number III-I-325.
JBrant conducted a detailed analysis of this wampum belt gahswęhdaˀ. Their notes are in the record.
This record was augmented by Shamina Vastani in February 2024.
43.050709809319, -80.101014561498
The wampum belt is identified with Six Nations of the Grand River in the museum's records, however it is not clear if this is its specific place of origin.