[spilleddi]

I would also look at the culture and beliefs of the next door neighbors of the eastern Siouan tribes for clues. Especially since the western Siouans underwent a drastic cultural change after they obtained the horse and moved out onto the great plains. Related language doesn’t mean related culture or even common descent, but cultural features from neighboring tribes have a tendency to rub off on one another through intermarriage and trade, regardless of language.

A good example are the Cayuse of Oregon. They spoke a unique language, but were already replacing it with Nez Perce through intermarriage when the first settlers arrived, and they adopted Nez Perce culture and beliefs. The Apaches and British Columbia Athabaskans are believed to have separated about 1000 years ago, and have a vastly different culture today, but a related language. And there are neighboring tribes in northern California who speak completely different languages, yet have a very similar culture and belief system.

Also consider studying more closely related Siouan tribes, such as the Biloxi. There are Biloxi stories and other cultural information that exist. But I would still study the western Siouans, since there culture appears to be the most intact of the Siouan tribes and little is known about the eastern Siouan’s immediate neighbors.

[ahwikatani]

Thank you Linda and spilledi. What you both have said makes a lot of sense,and it gives me a good starting point to go from. I plan on looking into both of these points and seeing what info I can gather. Like you Linda,I too plan on compilating all the info together. I would love to get all the info on my Saponi background together and write it up,everything from their dress,to their foods,their culture,religion,etc. Also as spilledi said, I will see if there is anything from the other Eastern Sioux tribes that may relate to this. Once again, thank you both for your input! -Gary

[Tahwey]

This old map http://usgwarchives.org/maps/virginia/statemap/1624map.jpg has an image of how the Natives might have appeared to John Smith.

[Linda]

Check out this link, Tahwey. John White is the artist who drew the figures used on that map.

http://www.virtualjamestown.org/images/white_debry_html/jamestown.html

[Tahwey]

Linda, I have really enjoyed looking at those watercolors and engravings, but the descriptions are like being there. The two together are like a virtual insite into their lives. Really cool, Thanks for the link.

[DHarden]

You want to see how the women dressed? Take a look at my avatar. This is my ggg grandmother and she is wearing a dress that she made herself. She was born in 1848 and I was told by a photographer that this picture was taken around the mid to late 1880s. If this isn’t enough then I don’t know what is.

[Author]

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