Wampanoag Powwow

Wampanoag Powwow

Weekend nearest July 4

It was Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag Indians, who made a peace treaty with the Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. Most of the tribe was later wiped out in what was known as King Philip's War, but the survivors fled to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, or joined the Cape Cod Indians who had remained neutral in the struggle.
For centuries Wampanoag Indians have held annual powwows during the summertime, which have been opportunities for tribal members to reunite in one place for feasts and traditional ceremonies and other activities. Today, more than 1,000 Wampanoag Indians live in Mashpee, Massachusetts, and hold their annual powwow over the Fourth of July weekend. One traditional game played is known as "fireball." It is similar to soccer but is played with a flaming ball. Fireball is a "medicine game"; men who participate believe that the bruises, burns, and other wounds they suffer during the game will relieve a loved one's illness.

CONTACTS:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Inc.
483 Great Neck Rd. S
P.O. Box 1048
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-477-0208; fax: 508-477-1218
www.mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

SOURCES:
EndurHarv-1995, p. 272
HolSymbols-2009, p. 1029