Vocabulary for Native Americans Unit
Chapter 2
Projected test ---October 2nd
Ancestor----early family member
Theory---- idea based on study and research
Beringia “land bridge” between Asia and North American It was named after the Bering Strait
Migration--- movement of people
Artifact an object made by early people
Origin story—s story or set of stories by Native American people that tells about their beginnings and
how the world came to be
Palisade –a wall made of sharpened tree trunks to protect a village from enemies or wild animals
Longhouse--- Iroquois shelters These long wooden building could hold up to 50 people. Their frames
were made by cutting poles from small trees, bending poles, and then covering with bark. Each
longhouse was divided into sections, and each section was home to one or two families.
Wampum---beads made from cut and polished seashells, used to keep records, send messages to other
tribes, barter for goods, or give as gifts
Wigwam--- a round, bark covered shelters
Tepee –shelters for nomadic tribes –cone-shaped tent made form wooden poles and buffalo skins
Scare---short supply
Nomadic---a tribe that wanders with no settled home---The Plains Native Americans followed the buffalo
Ceremony --- a celebration to honor a cultural or religious event. Ceremonies could mark the
beginning and end of buffalo hunts, the naming of a child, or the beginning of a marriage
Adapt---to adjust ways of living to land and resources
Staple---main food that is always needed and used. The main food of the Hopi was corn, beans, and
squash.
Surplus---an amount that is more than what is needed
Adobe---sun-dries bricks made of clay and straw
Clan—a group of families that are related to one another
Economy---the way the people of a state, region, or country use their resources to meet their needs
Barter---exchange goods
Dugout --- a boat made from a large, hollowed-out log
Totem pole—a tall wooden post carved with shapes of animals and people and representing a family’s
history and importance
Harpoon---a long spear with a sharp shell point
Pueblo—Spanish word for village
Pit house ---a house that was partially built over a hole in the earth so some rooms could be under ground
Lodge---a circular house of the plains Native Americans
Tribe--- a group of people who share the same language, land, and leaders
Archaeologist--- scientist who studies the culture of people who lived in the past
Descendent—a person’s child, grandchild, and so on
Potlatch --- a special Native American gathering or celebration with feasting and dancing
Barter---to exchange goods usually without using money