Origin of the Name

The name “Narragansett” comes from an Algonquian word often interpreted as “people of the small point” or “people of the narrow river.” This refers to the tribe’s homeland along the coastline and bays of what is now Rhode Island. Early European records vary in spelling, but the meaning consistently ties to their maritime homeland.

Naragansett sachem Ninigret - author of painting is unknown

Range

The Narragansett occupied most of present-day Rhode Island, including Narragansett Bay, and parts of southeastern Connecticut and southern Massachusetts. Their territory was rich in coastal resources, with sheltered coves, salt marshes, and forested uplands.

Diet

The Narragansett diet was diverse, drawing heavily on both land and sea. They cultivated corn, beans, and squash (the “Three Sisters”) and gathered wild plants such as berries and nuts. Fishing, shellfishing, and hunting were equally important—men caught cod, bass, and bluefish, harvested clams and oysters, and hunted deer, turkeys, and waterfowl. They also stored surplus food for winter.

Home Type

The Narragansett lived in dome-shaped wigwams made of sapling frames covered with woven mats or bark. Villages often featured multiple family homes grouped together near water sources. In winter, they moved inland to more sheltered locations, while summer villages were closer to the shore for fishing and trade.

Culture

Narragansett culture was deeply tied to the sea, the land, and seasonal cycles. They spoke an Algonquian language and were known for their fine wampum craftsmanship, using white and purple shells for trade, tribute, and ceremonial purposes. Kinship was central, with extended families forming strong clans.

Naragansett Wampum

The Narragansett were renowned for their skill in crafting wampum, small cylindrical beads made from the white shells of quahog clams and the purple parts of whelk shells. Creating wampum was a labor-intensive process, requiring careful shaping, smoothing, and drilling using stone or metal tools. Wampum held deep cultural significance—it was used not as ordinary money but as a symbol of agreements, records of important events, and sacred gifts in ceremonies. Long strings or woven belts of wampum conveyed messages, sealed alliances, and marked treaties between tribes and with European colonists. The high quality of Narragansett wampum made it a valuable trade good throughout the Northeast, and their craftsmanship was so respected that neighboring tribes and colonists often sought Narragansett-made beads for important exchanges.

Rendering of Cautantowwit

Mythology

Mythology included stories of creation and moral lessons involving animals and spirits. Cautantowwit, in Narragansett tradition, is the great spirit and creator who dwells in the southwest, a direction associated with warmth, life, and abundance. He is often credited with sending the gentle, life-giving winds of summer and ensuring the cycles of growth that sustain people, animals, and plants. In some stories, Cautantowwit shaped the land, filled the seas with fish, and gave the Narragansett their first corn, teaching them how to cultivate it. He embodies generosity and balance, reminding people to live in harmony with nature and with each other. Seasonal ceremonies honored him, particularly in the late summer and harvest time, as a way of giving thanks for his blessings.

Warfare

The Narragansett were considered a powerful tribe in southern New England, skilled in both diplomacy and warfare. They used bows, arrows, and stone-headed clubs, and could mobilize large forces. They often formed alliances with neighboring tribes but also engaged in conflicts over territory and resources, notably with the Pequots and Mohegans. During the Pequot War (1636–1638), they allied with the English colonists against the Pequots. However, in King Philip’s War (1675–1676), they opposed English expansion, leading to devastating losses.

Naragansett people greeting Roger Williams, founder of Providence: The Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 (1857); Alonzo Chappel

History Timeline

• Pre-1600s: Narragansett thrive in coastal Rhode Island, developing extensive trade networks and seasonal settlements.
• 1524: Likely first indirect European contact via early explorers; major cultural changes begin in the 1500s due to trade and disease.
• 1610s–1620s: Early contact with English settlers; Narragansett population remains relatively strong compared to neighboring tribes affected by epidemics.
• 1636–1638: Pequot War—Narragansett ally with English and Mohegan forces against the Pequots.
• 1675–1676: King Philip’s War—Narragansett join Wampanoag and Nipmuc forces; Great Swamp Fight leads to massive casualties and destruction of their winter village.
• 1700s: Land loss continues; many Narragansett intermarry with Africans and Europeans, but maintain cultural identity.
• 1880: Rhode Island formally “detribalizes” the Narragansett, selling much of their remaining land.
• 1978: Federal recognition restored after long legal battles; tribal lands reestablished.
• Today: Narragansett Indian Tribe governs its affairs from Charlestown, Rhode Island, and works to preserve language, culture, and traditions.

Discussion Questions

1. How did the Narragansett’s coastal location shape their economy and way of life?
2. Why might the Narragansett have chosen to ally with the English during the Pequot War but later fight against them in King Philip’s War?
3. What role did wampum play in both Narragansett culture and regional politics?
4. How have the Narragansett maintained their identity despite centuries of land loss and cultural change?