Image: Wabanaki Wampum Belts

Description: A belt that is largely white is to denote peace, when it is largely blue it denotes conflict. Going from left to right. A. The first belt represents a peace mission. The four dots are to denote the Miꞌkmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot. The middle square is to denote a council fire, a government meeting. B. This belt represents the union of the tribes as Wabanaki. The four symbols, being wigwams, reperesent the Miꞌkmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot. The middle object is a peace pipe and represents the peace ceremony that brought and brings the union of Wabanaki together. C. This is the war belt. The four symbols are tomahawks represent the four tribes. It would be used as a way to get people in a town together to call them to arms to fight an enemy attacking the nation. D. This is a peace belt, with a peace pipe. It would be use to inform people that peace has been made. It was also worn to summon leader to a consul fire over peace proposals. E. Was a belt used in the election of a new chief/sakom. Upon the death of a chief, a year of mourning would take place. Once done, members of the other 3 tribes would come they would all take part in electing a new leader.
Title: Wabanaki Wampum Belts
Credit: The Eastern Algonkian Wabanaki Confederacy
Author: Frank Speck
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No