The Iroquois Indians 

    The Iroquois Indians lived in the  northeastern part of North America.  They lived in the woodlands (forests).

    The Iroquois lived in houses called long houses.  These houses were made with bent poles and then covered with tree bark.  There is a door at each end.  There are no windows. There is a cooking fire in the center of the house and it is always smoky.   Many families live in one long house.  Dogs also lived in the long house.

    The Iroquois hunted, fished and farmed.  They grew corn, beans and squash.  They picked berries.  The men hunted deer and some small animals.  They fished with large nets and were able to catch  many kinds of fish.

    The Iroquois used wampum;  beads placed on string and made into belts.  Each belt had a different meaning.  They told the history, customs, ceremonies, legends and laws of the Iroquois people.  The Iroquois had a special ritual(ceremony). They made and wore special masks they made to scare away bad spirits.

    The Iroquois people carved beautiful wood masks.  They carved wooden bowls and cradle boards for their babies.  They also made beaded belts.

    The Iroquois Indians wore clothes made out of deerskin.  Many of the clothes had fringe on it.  Women wore a cape with fringe in the winter.  Women wear their hair in one braid or a ponytail.  Men wore a kilt (skirt) over their leggings and carried a pouch over their shoulder.  Warriors shaved their heads like a mohawk style and wear one feather in it.

    The Iroquois did not need to travel much.  When they did need to travel, they went by horse and on foot.