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Moieties and Clans

History

Culture & Society

Haplogroups

Chiwere
Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Iowa, Oto, Missouri

 

 

 

Moieties and Clans

The Chiwere had exogamous patrilineal moieties that regulated marriage, the differentiation of leadership roles and functions, and the selection of lacrosse teams. Certain clans had a tendency to intermarry. There were 12 clans unevenly divided between the moieties.

  • Wagrégi Hererá (Those Who are Above, Sky)
    • Wakanchara (Thunder) - a leading clan holding the peace lodge
    • Hichakhshepara (Eagle)
    • Kerechun (Hawk)
    • Ruchke (Pigeon) *

 

  • Manégi Hererá (Those Who are Below, Earth)
    • Honchikikarachada (Bear) - a leading clan holding the war lodge
    • Shungikikarachada (Wolf)
    • Wakchekhiikikarachada (Water)
    • Waninkikikarachada (Spirit)
    • Cheikikarachada (Buffalo)
    • Chaikikarachada (Deer)
    • Huwanikikarachada (Elk)
    • ? (Fish)
    • Wakanikikarachada (Snake)

* An extinct clan.
 
  Sources:
Hodge, Frederick Webb (1910). Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico. Washington, Government Printing Press.
Lurie, Nancy Oestreich (1978). Winnebago. Handbook of North American Indians: Northeast, vol. 15. Washington, Smithsonian Institution.