Many people in Winchester and the surrounding towns travel to Martha’s Vineyard, especially in the summertime. But do you know the history of the Indigenous people who once were the only inhabitants of this popular summer vacation spot?
Five thousand years before any Europeans settled in the Americas, the Wampanoag tribe inhabited the entirety of Noepe, the Wampanoag name for Martha’s Vineyard. The Wampanoag people base many of their teachings and legends on a mystical demigod, Moshup, who was known to have great strength and power. According to the legend, he formed the island by dragging his foot in the mud, and the cliffs were stained red by the blood of the whales he hurled against them for food.
Recently, I had a chance to visit Martha’s Vineyard with my family. While in Aquinnah, I visited the Aquinnah Cultural Center near the Aquinnah Cliffs. I was fascinated by the traditional pieces of the Wampanoag clothing and furniture such as animal skins and wooden benches covered in deer hide. One thing that really stuck with me was the collection of intricate Wampum belts that were made using traditional weaving techniques.
To this day, Wampanoag culture is still vibrant in Martha’s Vineyard, especially in Aquinnah. There are over 900 current members of the tribe, 300 of whom live on the island. Today, the Wampanoags are governed by a Tribal Council. The Tribal Council includes a chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and seven council members. The Wampanoag individuals on the Tribal Council are popularly voted for by the other members of the tribe. Additionally, the Wampanoag protect over 477 acres of ancestral lands on the island.
The next time I visit Martha’s Vineyard, I want to further explore the Aquinnah Cliffs and surrounding trails, where many of the legends of Moshup are centered. I recently read that there will be a revival of an old tradition known as Legends of Moshup Pageant. This summer festival includes reenactments of the legends of Moshup using traditional clothing and performance styles on Aquinnah tribal lands.
So, if you ever visit Martha’s Vineyard, don’t only view the beauty of the Aquinnah Cliffs, but think deeper about the Wampanoag People – their legacy and current culture and traditions.