Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 1,500 (enrolled members) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 United States ( South Carolina) |
|
| Languages | |
| English, formerly Siouan | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity |
The Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians is a Native American tribe located in Berkeley County, South Carolina. They are a "state-recognized tribe," which means the state of South Carolina officially recognizes them as a Native American group. This recognition happened in two steps: first as an Indian group in 2005, and then as a full tribe in 2009.
The Wassamasaw Tribe is one of nine tribes recognized by South Carolina in the early 2000s. It's important not to confuse them with the Waccamaw Indian People, another state-recognized tribe in South Carolina. The only tribe in South Carolina that is recognized by the U.S. government is the Catawba Indian Nation.
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What Does Wassamasaw Mean?
The name "Wassamasaw" comes from a swamp located between Summerville and Moncks Corner, South Carolina. This is near Varnertown, where the tribe has lived for a long time. Many tribes in this area used "aw" or "o" at the end of their names to show their connection to coastal water.
The name "Wassamasaw" might mean "connecting water." It's also special because the word "Wassamassaw" is a palindrome. This means it reads the same forwards and backward!
Who Are the Wassamasaw People?
Today, about 1,500 people are enrolled members of the Wassamasaw Tribe. To become a state-recognized tribe, the Wassamasaw had to show that their community had lived together for at least 100 years. Old records from the 1800s helped prove this. For example, "Indian Mary," an Edisto woman, was recognized as Native American in a court case. She married a resident of Varnertown, linking the families. Some people believe the Wassamasaw are the last living connection to the Edisto people, who no longer exist as an organized tribe.
Ancestors of the Tribe
The Wassamasaw people have a rich history, with ancestors from several different tribes. These include the Catawba, Edisto, Etiwan, and Cherokee tribes. Over time, they also intermarried with people of European American and African American backgrounds.
During the time of European settlement, many Native American tribes faced challenges. They lost land, and many people died from diseases brought by Europeans. The Yamasee War in the 1700s also caused great losses. Because of these difficulties, surviving members of different tribes often married each other. This meant that fewer people identified with just one tribe. They began to call themselves Wassamasaw and continued to intermarry with their neighbors. In the 1930s, some Filipino immigrants also married into the tribe.
Preserving Culture and Heritage
For a while, the Wassamasaw people lost touch with some of their traditional crafts and culture. However, since the 1960s, they have been working hard to bring back and protect their heritage. The civil rights movement and the Indian rights movement inspired younger members to learn about their history. More and more descendants now proudly identify as Wassamasaw. Since the late 1900s, the Tribal Administrator, Lisa Leach, has led the efforts to gain state recognition for the tribe.
Benefits of State Recognition
Being officially recognized by the state brings many benefits to the Wassamasaw Tribe. One important benefit is that they can now sell their art and craft work as officially "Native American" made. This helps them raise money for their community. Their main goal is to build a tribal center, which will be a place for tribal members to gather, learn, and celebrate their culture.
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