Origin of the Name and Location

The name "Pequot" is believed to mean "the destroyers" in the Algonquin language. Historically, the Pequots inhabited areas in what is now modern-day Connecticut, primarily in the eastern and central parts of the state.

Diet

The Pequots were an agricultural community, cultivating staple crops such as corn, beans, squash, and tobacco. They supplemented their diet by hunting deer and small game, as well as fishing and gathering seafood from nearby rivers and the Atlantic coast.

Homes

Pequot homes included wigwams and medium-sized longhouses. Wigwams were small, dome-shaped houses about eight to ten feet high, built from wooden frames and covered with woven mats or bark. Longhouses, more often linked with the Iroquois, could house up to 20 families and were built from long wooden poles and bark panels.

Culture

Before colonization, the Pequots were a dominant and warlike tribe with a strong central authority led by a grand sachem and council. They were more aggressive in expanding and defending territory than neighboring tribes such as the Narragansett and Wampanoag. Social structure was hierarchical, with leaders overseeing diplomacy, trade, and military matters. The Pequots engaged in trade networks with neighboring tribes, exchanging goods such as wampum, furs, and food.

The spiritual beliefs of the Pequots in the 1600s were deeply connected to nature and the cycles of the seasons. They believed that all living things—animals, plants, rivers, and the land itself—had spirits that required respect and balance. Seasonal ceremonies marked important times such as planting, harvest, and successful hunts, often involving dances, songs, and offerings to ensure harmony with the spirit world. Shamans, or spiritual leaders, played an important role as healers and interpreters of dreams and signs, guiding the community in both health and decision-making. Oral traditions preserved myths, creation stories, and lessons that reinforced the tribe’s values and relationship with the natural world.

Warfare

Warfare was a defining aspect of Pequot history, especially during the early 1600s. The Pequot War (1636–1638) marked a turning point in their fate. Prior to the war, a political split occurred when the sachem Uncas broke away to form the Mohegan tribe, which became allies of the English. The Pequots, however, resisted colonization, leading to escalating violence. This culminated in the Massacre at Mystic in 1637, when English forces and their Native allies burned the largest Pequot village, killing nearly 700 people—mostly women and children. In the aftermath, survivors were hunted, killed, or sold into slavery. The tribe was nearly annihilated.

Pequot War

History Timeline

• Early 1600s: Pequots dominate much of Connecticut.
• Early 1600s: Sachem Uncas breaks away to form the Mohegan tribe.
• 1633: Epidemic kills about 80% of the Pequot population.
• 1636–1638: Pequot War with English colonists and their Native allies.
• 1637: Massacre at Mystic; nearly 700 Pequots killed.
• Post-1638: Survivors killed, enslaved, or dispersed; tribe effectively destroyed.
• Modern Era: Mashantucket Pequots operate Foxwoods Casino and cultural museum.

Modern Day

Today, the Mashantucket Pequots have reestablished a presence in Connecticut. They operate Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the largest casinos in the world, on their 1,800-acre reservation. Revenue from the casino has funded tribal expansion and the creation of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, which educates visitors about Pequot history and culture.

Discussion Questions

1. What factors contributed to the downfall of the Pequot nation in the 1600s?
2. How did alliances with other tribes influence the outcome of the Pequot War?
3. Why might the Pequots have been described as more warlike than some of their neighbors?
4. In what ways have the modern Pequots preserved and shared their cultural heritage?