The territory of America, discovered by Columbus, is very extensive and, as a result, has a different name for the tribes of Indians living in open lands. There are many of them, although European sailors used only one term to the native inhabitants of America - the Indians.
The fallacy of Columbus and the consequences
Over time, the mistake became clear: the fact that the indigenous people are the natives of America. Prior to the beginning of the European colonization of the 15th century, residents arrived at various stages of the communal clan system. Some tribes dominated the paternal clan, while others dominated matriarchy.
The level of development primarily depended on location and climatic conditions. In the process of subsequent colonization of America by European countries, only the common name of the Indian tribes was used for a whole group of culturally related tribes. Below we consider in detail some of them.
Specialization and life of the Indians of America
It is noteworthy that the Indians of America made various ceramic products. This tradition was born long before contact with Europeans. In manual work, several technologies were used.
Such methods were used as molding according to the frame and form, molding with a spatula, molding from a clay cord and even sculptural modeling. A distinctive feature of the Indians was the manufacture of masks, clay figurines and ritual objects.
The name of the tribes of the Indians is quite different, because they spoke different languages and practically had no written language. There are so many nations of America. Let's look at the most famous of them.
The name of the tribes of the Indians and their role in the history of America
We will look at some of the most famous Indian tribes: Hurons, Iroquois, Apaches, Mohicans, Incas, Mayans and Aztecs. Some of them were with a rather low level of development, while others impressed with a highly developed society, the level of which cannot be determined simply by the word "tribe" with such vast knowledge and architecture.
The local population of America declined significantly during the colonization of places by European immigrants, the gradual extermination and crowding out, as well as diseases introduced by the colonialists, and the lack of immunity among the Indians. All this significantly reduced their numbers. The remaining Indians were relocated from traditional habitats on the reservation.
Hurons
The Huron tribe is one of the most numerous tribes of the American Indians. Before the invasion of Europeans, its number was approximately 40,000 people.
Central Ontario was originally the home of the Hurons. It is known that during the bloody and long-term feud with the Iroquois tribe, the Hurons were divided into two unequal groups. A smaller part of the tribe group tried to settle in Quebec (modern-day Canada). A larger group settled in Ohio (USA), but very soon was forced to relocate to Kansas.
The Hurons were the first tribe to enter into trade relations with Europeans. Today, about 4,000 Indians live in Canada and the United States.
Iroquois
The Iroquois, as it turned out, are quite enterprising Indians. The Iroquois tribe is one of the most influential and warlike tribes until the colonial times of America. Their kinship was formed on the maternal side, and there was also a division into clans.
The Iroquois had a constitution that was "written down" with shell beads. By the way, due to their ability to languages, they conducted trade affairs both with neighboring tribes and with Europeans. In the XVII century, the tribe had a fairly developed relationship with the Dutch.
Iroquois made and used various masks with a distinctive feature - a hooked nose. According to their traditions, masks protected the people and their families from diseases. The Indians lived in ovachira - long houses that housed almost the entire family, including the elder.
River people
Mohicans - Indians from the East Algontino tribe. The name of the tribe in translation means "the people of the river."
The original place of residence is the Hudson River Valley and around it (Albury, NY). The first contact with Europeans occurred in 1609. The Mohicans were a confederation, and at the time of the first contact they were divided into five tribes: the Mohicans, Wikagok, Wawihtonok, Mehkentovun and Westenhook.
Residents were engaged in agriculture, hunting and fishing, as well as gathering. Interestingly, they had a monarchical form of government. At the head was a leader whose status was inherited.
Subsequently, many migrated to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Some of the Mohicans converted to Christianity, while a number of them retained their own traditions. Subsequently, most of the surviving representatives of the tribe moved to areas of Wisconsin.
Apache Indians
A nationality consisting of several communities, which has a similar culture and language.
All of them have the common name of the tribes of the Indians under the name Apaches. The warriors of this tribe differed from others in their ferocity and survival in harsh conditions. Apache - Indians who possessed military strategy and battle planning. For several centuries, warriors went on military campaigns and defended their territories, mercilessly destroying everyone who came in their way.
The first European invasion occurred in 1500. These were the Spanish colonizers. The consequences of the war led the Apaches to the loss of old established ties with neighboring tribes.
Initially, Indians led nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyles, moving throughout the southwestern United States. Their main occupations were animal hunting, gathering. The food was quite simple, it consisted mainly of berries, mushrooms and corn.
Domestic wigwams with a smoke hole and a hearth were used for living. Built with twigs, leather and grass. Today, their number is approximately 30 thousand. Apaches live in Arizona, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
On the American continent, there are only three highly developed indigenous civilizations: Incas, Aztecs and Mayans. Unfortunately, many knowledge about them has been lost, and it was only thanks to archaeological scientists who managed to learn about these ancient cultures.
Ancient civilizations
The Aztecs and Mayans are the most famous of most Indian tribes. The Mayan people are a highly developed tribe located in central America. They are famous for their cities, completely carved from stone, as well as extraordinary works of art. Maya built several cities at a fairly distant distance from each other.
It is noteworthy that the basis was a complex of pyramids, and their height was not inferior to the pyramids of Egypt. They had hierographic writing and used the concept of zero in mathematics. The Mayans were excellent astronomers, and it was they who created the famous calendar, which ended its calendar in 2012. This ancient nation disappeared long before Columbus arrived.
The Aztecs are the most numerous people of Mexico. Initially, they were a hunting stray tribe, but after long wanderings, the Aztecs settled not far from Lake Texcoco. Later they mastered agriculture and built cities, the main one was Tenochtitlan. It is interesting that the ancient people had a rather complicated system of irrigated agriculture.
The Aztecs maintained the old traditions until the Spanish conquest. Their number was about 60 thousand. The main occupations were hunting and fishing. In addition, the tribe was divided into several clans with officials. Tribute was withdrawn from the subject cities.
The Aztecs were distinguished by the fact that they conducted fairly rigid centralized management and a hierarchical structure. At the highest level stood the emperor and priests, and at the lowest - slaves. The Aztecs also used the death penalty and human sacrifice.
Highly Inca Society
The most mysterious Inca tribe belonged to the largest ancient civilization. The tribe lived at an altitude of 4.5 thousand meters in the mountains of Chile and Colombia. This oldest state existed from the XI to the XVI century AD.
It included the entire territory of the states of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. As well as parts of modern Argentina, Colombia and Chile, despite the fact that in 1533 the empire had already lost most of its territories. Until 1572, the clan was able to resist the attacks of the conquistadors, who were very interested in new lands.
The Inca society was dominated by agricultural farming with terraced farming. It was a fairly advanced society, using sewage systems and creating an irrigation system.
Today, many historians are interested in the question of why and where such a highly developed tribe disappeared.
"Inheritance" from the tribes of the Indians of America
Undoubtedly, it is clear that the Indians of America made a serious contribution to the development of world civilization. The Europeans borrowed the cultivation and cultivation of corn and sunflower, as well as some vegetable crops: potatoes, tomatoes, peppers. In addition, legumes, cocoa fruits and tobacco were introduced. All this we got from the Indians.
It was these cultures that helped in time to reduce hunger in Eurasia. Corn subsequently became an indispensable feed base for livestock. We owe many of the dishes on our table to the Indians and Columbus, who brought the “wonders” of that time to Europe.