The Mahicans

The Mahicans or better known as the Mohicans come from the Eastern Algonquian Native American tribe. Which means they are part of a sub group that speaks a dialect in the Algonquian languages.

The name the tribe called itself was Muh-he-con-nuek (People of the waters that is never still)

This tribe originally comes from the Hudson River Valley (modern day Albany, NY). Later on in 1680 a lot of them moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Later on in the 1820's and 1830's many descendants made their way to Wisconsin where they joined up with another tribe called the Munsee, they were from then on federally recognized as the Stockbridge-Munsee band of mohican indians.

Mahican territory in Hudson River Valley

Mahicans in Stockbridge, MA territory in 1680's

In this picture they are named at Stockbridge-Munsee

History:

The Mahicans and the Europeans first made contact when the Mahicans were living in the Hudson river valley around 1609. This was the time when the settlement of New Netherland was being built up.  During this time of encounter the Mohicans were not one tribe but a tribe with 4 smaller subgroups called Westenhuck, Wawayachtonoc, Mechkentowoon, and Wiekagjoc. For the next hundred years the was difficulties between the Mahicans and the the Iroquois Mohawk, also the Dutch, and the English settlers. This was the reason they immigrated towards the east to Massachusetts and Connecticut. When they came here they started to be known as the Stockbridge Indians. After living here for awhile they started to allow other white people live with them who were Protestant Christian Missionaries. In the 18th century many converted to christianity but they kept some of their own traditions. In the French and Indian wars they fought on the USA side. Even with their loyalty they were also forced off of their land and pushed westward. Many moved decided instead to move to New Stockholm, NY. They were promised land and then pushed onto reservations in Wisconsin in the 1820's and 30's. The Mahicans were one tribe that was really influenced by the christian religion and was a part of it quite a bit. Eventually however, their language became extinct and they no longer lived freely.




The last of the Mohicans:

The Mohicans became famous from a novel called the Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper.

Cover of the Last of the Mohicans