Unalachtigo Lenape facts for kids
Lenapehoking, the original Lenape territory.
The Unalachtigo are from the southern region in dark green |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
 United States ( New Jersey) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Unami | |
| Religion | |
| traditional tribal religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Lenape |
The Unalachtigo were a group of Native American people. They were part of the larger Lenape (also called Delaware Indians) tribe. Their original home was a place called Lenapehoking. This land is now in the Northeastern United States.
The name "Unalachtigo" came from the Munsee language. It was used for Lenape people who spoke the Unami language. These Unami-speakers lived in west-central New Jersey. Some early European visitors called the Lenape in different areas by different names. They called the Unami-speakers in New Jersey "Unalachtigo."
What Does the Name Mean?
The name "Unalachtigo" likely comes from the word wə̆nálâhtko·w. What this word means exactly is not fully known. Some people think unalachtigo means "people who live near the ocean." Others believe it means "people who live down by the water." The name has been spelled in different ways over time. These include Unalâchtigo (in 1818) and Wunalàchtigo (in 1798).
Where Did the Unalachtigo Live?
A linguist named Ives Goddard has studied the Unalachtigo. He believes they originally lived around the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. They also lived in nearby parts of New Jersey. The Unalachtigo spoke a dialect of the Lënape language. This was either a Northern Unami or Southern Unami dialect.
Recent Efforts by the Unalachtigo
Today, there is a group called the Unalachtigo Band of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape Nation. This group says they are descendants of the Lenape people. These ancestors lived on the Brotherton Reservation. This reservation was an Indian reservation in the 1700s. It was located near Shamong Township in Burlington County, New Jersey.
This group has tried to get official recognition from the United States government. They filed a request with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2002. However, their request was not successful. In 2005, the Unalachtigo Band also took legal action. They sued the State of New Jersey and its governor. They wanted to get the Brotherton Reservation lands back. They also wanted non-Native people to leave the land. A court in New Jersey did not agree with their request.
