Scattamek facts for kids

Scattamek was an important Lenape leader who lived in a region called the Ohio Country during the 1700s. He was a religious leader, sometimes called a prophet, who shared special messages and ideas. Scattamek continued and built upon the teachings of another leader named Neolin.

Their ideas were very powerful and influenced many nearby Native American tribes. These included the Shawnee, the Miami, and the Wea peoples. Scattamek was known to be teaching his messages especially during the 1770s.

Scattamek: A Lenape Religious Leader

Scattamek's teachings were mostly based on the old traditions and ways of his people. He believed it was very important for tribes to go back to their ancestors' ways of life. This meant giving up things that came from Europeans, like their style of clothing, alcoholic drinks, and firearms (guns).

Why Return to Old Ways?

Scattamek and other leaders believed that the problems and bad luck their people faced were because the gods were angry. They thought the gods were upset because the tribes had started using European customs and goods. By returning to their traditional ways, they hoped to make the gods happy again and bring good fortune back to their communities.

His Influence on Other Leaders

Scattamek had a special influence on a later leader named Tenskwatawa. Tenskwatawa led a movement in the early 1800s that aimed to bring back Native American traditions. This movement helped inspire many tribes to support Tecumseh's War in the 1810s, which was a major conflict against American expansion. Scattamek's ideas helped lay the groundwork for these later movements.