Sagamite facts for kids
| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Hominy or Indian corn and grease; vegetables, wild rice, brown sugar, beans, smoked fish or animal brains |
Sagamité is a special kind of stew that was made by Native American tribes. It was usually made from hominy or Indian corn, which are types of dried corn, mixed with animal fat or 'grease'. Sometimes, other tasty things were added, like vegetables, wild rice, brown sugar, beans, smoked fish, or even animal brains.
Contents
What is Sagamite?
Sagamite is a thick and hearty stew. It was a very important food for many Native American groups. The main ingredients were often corn and animal fat. This made it a very filling and energy-rich meal.
How Sagamite Was Made
The Caddo tribe, for example, made their sagamite as a thick soup. They used corn flour that had been parched (lightly roasted) and then ground into a fine powder. They could also add beans and flour made from acorns.
The Caddo people would serve this stew in large earthenware pots. These pots were big enough to feed many people during special events and ceremonies.
A Special Dish for Guests
Sagamite was often served during ceremonies. It was a way to welcome important guests. Tribes like the Peoria, Huron, and Osage used sagamite in this way. The early Caddo tribes of Arkansas also shared sagamite with their visitors.
Famous Explorers Try Sagamite
The Illinois State Museum tells a cool story about sagamite. In 1673, two famous explorers, Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, traveled to the Mississippi River. The Peoria tribe offered them sagamite to eat. This shows how important and welcoming this dish was.
