Iroquois Clan Structure

HAUDENOSAUNEE

CLAN SYSTEM

Haudenosaunee Clans

Each of the six nations of Haudenosaunee is comprised of extended family groups called CLANS.

A CLAN MOTHER heads each clan. In the past, a clan mother was usually the oldest woman of the clan. Today, clan mothers are chosen for their cultural wisdom and dedication to the Haudenosaunee people.

Clan mothers have been given the honor of their duties because of a woman who lived long ago called the Mother of Nations.

Matrilineal

Clans are extended families. Haudenosaunee clans are MATRILINEAL.

This means they follow the line of descent of the mother.

Children belong to their mother’s clan.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of matrilineal?

• relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the father's line

• relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the mother's line

Longhouse

• Before European contact, the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents of a clan lived together in one house called a longhouse. This arrangement created a strong cooperative family unit with the clan mother as the head.

• When a couple got married, the husband moved into his wife’s family’s longhouse. Though men moved into their wives’ homes, they did not change their clans. Each man retained responsibilities to his mother’s family and helped raise his sisters’ children.

Multiple Select

When a couple got married, where did the husband live?

• In his mother's longhouse

• In his grandmother's longhouse

• In his wife's longhouse

• In his sister's longhouse

Clan Mother's Responsibilities

■ Make all the major decisions that affect the clan.

■ Assign names to people in her clan.

■ Nominate the male leader of the clan. The male leader is called the HOYANEH.

■ Help ensure that all members of her clan are fed.

Multiple Select

Which of the following was NOT a responsibility of the clan mother?

• Assign names to the people in her clan

• Help ensure that all members of her clan are fed.

• Nominate the male leader of the clan.

• Gather the water for cooking every day