Shawnee Clans and Divisions

The Shawnee people have historically been organized into five primary divisions, each possibly representing distinct tribes or phratries. These divisions—Chillicothe, Kispokotha, Spitotha, Bicowetha, and Assiwikale—played significant roles in Shawnee society, with each group occupying specific positions in public assemblies and often lending their names to the villages. Additionally, the Shawnee are traditionally associated with 13 clans, including the Wolf, Bear, and Turtle clans, among others. The Turtle clan holds special significance in Shawnee mythology, while the Snake clan was notably represented in the signing of a treaty in 1793. Population estimates varied over time, reflecting the dispersed nature of the tribe, with numbers ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 in the 18th and early 19th centuries. By 1909, the Shawnee population was divided among the Eastern Shawnee, Absentee Shawnee, and those integrated into the Cherokee Nation.


The Shawnee had 5 divisions, which may be regarded as phratries, or perhaps as originally distinct tribes, and the members of these divisions occupied different sides of the council house in their public assemblies. Their names are:

Chilahcahtha (Chillicothe)
Kispokotha (Kispogogi)
Spitotha (Mequachake?)
Bicowetha (Piqua)
Assiwikale (Hathawekela)

The villages of the tribe have generally taken their names from these divisions. The Woketamosi division mentioned by Heckewelder is probably one of these but is not the Piqua.

According to Morgan (Anc. Soc., 168, 1877) the Shawnee have 13 clans, as follows:

  1. M’-wa-wä’, wolf;
  2. Ma-gwä’, loon;
  3. M’-kwä’, bear;
  4. We-wä’-see, buzzard;
  5. M’-se’-pa-se, panther;
  6. M’-ath-wa’, owl;
  7. Pa-la-wä’, turkey;
  8. Psake-the’, deer;
  9. Sha-pä-ta’, raccoon;
  10. Na-ma-thä’, turtle;
  11. Ma-na-to’, snake;
  12. Pe-sa-wä’, horse;
  13. Pä-täke-e-no-the’, rabbit.

The Turtle clan occupies an important place in their mythological traditions. At a conference in 1793 the Shawnee signed with the snake totem.

The early estimates of the numbers of the Shawnee are only partial, owing to the fact that the tribe was not united. The highest estimate given is that of 1817, which places them at 2,000 souls. Others are 1,750 (1732); 1,000 (1736); 1,500 (1759, 1765, 1778, 1783, 1794, 1812); 1,900 on Auglaize River (1794); 1,600 (1812 one-half in Missouri). In 1909 the Eastern Shawnee numbered 107; the Absentee Shawnee 481; and those incorporated with the Cherokee Nation about 800, making, with a few individuals, resident Cherokee, a present total of about 1,400 for the tribe, a considerable decrease in the last twenty years.


Topics:
Shawnee,

Collection:
Hodge, Frederick Webb, Compiler. The Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. Bureau of American Ethnology, Government Printing Office. 1906.

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