I have read that Northeastern Native Americans once used clam shells (wampum) as currency. Why did this not result in disastrous inflation, if anyone could just walk to the beach and pick up money
Why was wampum valuable?
[Once] a symbol of prestige, wampum had become a medium of exchange and communication available to all, leading Indians through-out New England toward greater dependence on their ties with Europeans.”
Which country did use wampum for money?
Seashell-derived wampum was Massachusetts‘ first legal currency, and continued to be used and respected as currency throughout northeastern America, even into the nineteenth century.
What are wampum shells?
What is Wampum? Most simply, wampum are beads made from various white and purple mollusk shells which were and are still used by various Native nations throughout northeastern North America for ornamental or ceremonial use.
Where are wampum shells found?
The channeled whelk and the hard clam, also known as the quahog, are rightfully adored by beachcombers for their beautiful white and purple shells, respectively. Found only on the east coast of North America, their relative rarity also makes them an attractive find.
How was wampum used?
The Iroquois used wampum as a person’s credentials or a certificate of authority. It was also used for official purposes and religious ceremonies, and it was used as a way to bind peace between tribes.
What can you do with clam shells?
The hard clamshells are composed mainly of calcium carbonate and chitin.
What Can You Do With Leftover Clam Shells?
- Make clam shell broth. …
- Use them as a soap dish. …
- Hold your salt. …
- As a jewellery holder. …
- Presenting your food. …
- Mulch using clamshells.
What’s another word for wampum?
In this page you can discover 35 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for wampum, like: money, bead, lettuce, dough, gelt, green, jack, long green, mazuma, moola and scratch.
What are some examples of wampum?
Some examples include the Hiawatha Belt (the belt of the Haudenosaunee), the Covenant Chain Wampum of 1764, and the Two Row Wampum Belt (Kaswentha). The Two Row Wampum Belt (Kaswentha) of the Haudenosaunee is a well-known example of a wampum belt.