Delaware Tribe of Indians by Sara Sellers

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:16:40 UTC

This is the official seal of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, also called the Lenape (pronounced lun-NAH-pay) tribe. The name "Lenape" translates to "The People," and has been in use for hundreds of years. [1]

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:29:46 UTC

[1] Official Site of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, 2025. https://delawaretribe.org/blog/2013/06/26/faqs/

Traditions

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:37:09 UTC

A tradition of the Delaware Tribe was to make things with their hands. They made clay pots (pictured above) for cooking, storing things, and ceremonial practices. [3]

Traditional Clothing

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:45:12 UTC

The Lanape people wore clothing made out of deerhide. Men wore breechclouts and moccasins, while women wore skirts. You would often see them wear turkey feathers, bones, and shells as jewelry. [4]

The Walking Purchase

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:58:32 UTC

Some of the Lanape people were tricked out of their land after being told that their ancestors had signed a treaty promising a day and a half's walk of land. Instead of walking the englishmen ran, which in turn led to a significant amount of land being turned over. [2]

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 20:59:17 UTC

[2] Official Site of the Delaware Tribe, The Walking Purchase, 2013.

https://delawaretribe.org/blog/2013/06/27/the-walking-purchase/

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:01:37 UTC

[3] Official Site of the Delaware Tribe, Lenape Pottery, 2013.

https://delawaretribe.org/blog/2013/06/27/lenape-pottery/

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:03:51 UTC

[4] Official Site of the Delaware Tribe, Lenape Clothing, 2013.

https://delawaretribe.org/blog/2013/06/26/clothing/

Traditional Clothing Worn By Women

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:05:36 UTC

[4]

Traditional Clothing Worn By Men

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:06:00 UTC

[4]

Moccasins worn by Delaware Tribe

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:13:33 UTC

These moccasins date back to as early as 1875, and are documented as being worn by a member of the Delaware Tribe. They are made of deer hide, ribbon, and glass beads and were delicately made by hand. [5]

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:14:52 UTC

[5] Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian, Moccasins, 2025.

https://americanindian.si.edu/collections-search/object/NMAI_12879

Oral History

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:21:20 UTC

The story goes that there was so much rain that it began to flood. The Lenape people prayed to their creator to save them, and the creator told them to go to the top of a hill. When the water started to rise so much that their feet were getting wet even on the hill, a turtle emerged from the ground with the people on its back, and saved the Lenape people. This story signified the importance of water to the Lenape people, who built their villages all along rivers such as the Delaware river and Hudson river. [6]

1993sarasellers — 2025-07-06 21:23:16 UTC

[6] Delaware Nation, Oral History.

https://www.delawarenation-nsn.gov/history/