The Mandan – Friends of the Settlers
The Mandan people, a Siouan tribe of the Northwestern plains, hold a unique place in the history of the American West. Their story is one of resilience, adaptation, and a complex relationship with the encroaching wave of settlers. The name "Mandan" is believed to be derived from a Dakota word, "Mawatani," though before their encounter with white settlers, they referred to themselves as "Numakiki," meaning simply "people" or "people on the bank." Their history is deeply intertwined with that of the Hidatsa, a neighboring tribe, although linguistic analysis suggests a possible, albeit more distant, connection to the Winnebago.
Origin Myths and Early Migrations
The oral traditions of the Mandan provide fragmented glimpses into their ancient past, shrouded in mythology. These narratives suggest an origin point further east, near a large lake. This lore was documented by explorers like Lewis and Clark, who recorded a captivating creation story:
"The whole nation resided in one large village underground near a subterraneous lake; a grapevine extended its roots down to their habitation and gave them a view of the light; some of the most adventurous climbed up the vine and were delighted with the sight of the earth, which they found covered with buffalo and rich with every kind of fruits; returning with the grapes they had gathered, their countrymen were so pleased with the taste of there that the whole nation resolved to leave their dull residence for the charms of the upper region; men, women, and children ascended by means of the vine; but when about half the nation had reached the surface of the earth, a corpulent woman who was clambering up the vine broke it with her weight and closed upon herself and the rest of the nation the light of the sun. Those who were left on earth made a village below, where we saw the nine villages, and where the Mandan dies, they expect to return to the original seats of their forefathers, the good reaching the ancient village by means of the lake, which the burden of the sins of the wicked will not enable them to cross."
This compelling tale speaks to the Mandan’s deep connection to the earth and their spiritual beliefs. The Mandan themselves claimed descent from eastern nations near the sea coast. Linguistic links to the Winnebago, coupled with their documented westward movement up the Missouri River, support the idea of an easterly origin, potentially placing them near the Great Lakes. Some historians propose that the legends of "ground-house Indians" in northwest Wisconsin, who lived in circular, partially underground earth lodges, might refer to the Mandan or a related group. Assuming a residence near the upper Mississippi, it’s plausible they migrated downriver before turning west towards the Missouri.
Agriculture and Settlement
When Europeans first encountered the Mandan, their reliance on agriculture suggested a history in a region where farming was practiced. Whether they learned agriculture from the Hidatsa or vice versa remains a subject of debate, with many believing the Mandan were the teachers. Theories even propose a past in Ohio, where they built mounds before migrating northwest. Their documented migration begins with their arrival at the Missouri River, initially reaching the mouth of the White River in South Dakota.
From there, the Mandan journeyed up the Missouri to the Moreau River, encountering the Cheyenne and forming distinct bands. They continued along the Missouri to the Heart River in North Dakota, their established home when the first white explorers made contact. However, unrecorded trappers and traders likely visited them earlier.
Encounters with Europeans and Subsequent Decline
The first documented encounter with the Mandan was in 1738 by Sieur de la Verendrye. By 1750, they had settled near the mouth of the Heart River in nine villages: two on the east and seven on the west side. These villages were later observed in ruins by Lewis and Clark in 1804. Decimated by smallpox epidemics and attacks from the Assiniboine and Dakota, the two eastern villages consolidated and moved upriver, opposite the remaining Mandan settlements. These villages were reduced to five, eventually merging into two. By 1776, the entire tribe was concentrated in two villages, Metutanke and Ruptari, located about four miles below the mouth of Knife River on opposite sides of the Missouri.
A devastating smallpox epidemic in 1837 brought the Mandan to the brink of extinction. Accounts vary, but some estimate that only 31 out of 1,600 people survived. More credible sources place the number of survivors between 125 and 145. Following this catastrophe, they occupied a single village. In 1845, when the Hidatsa were relocated from the Knife River, some Mandan joined them, while others migrated in stages, some as late as 1858, to the village at Berthold.
Treaties and Reservations
On July 30, 1825, the Mandan entered into a treaty of peace with the United States. They participated in the Fort Laramie Treaty of September 17, 1851, which defined Northwestern boundaries. They were also involved in the unratified Treaty of Fort Berthold on July 27, 1866. An Executive Order on April 12, 1870, established a large reservation in North Dakota and Montana for the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara, situated along the Missouri and Little Missouri Rivers, including the existing Mandan village.
In December 1886, at Fort Berthold Agency, the Arikara, Mandan, and Hidatsa ceded a portion of their reservation to the United States through an agreement.
Physical Characteristics and Customs
Early explorers described the Mandan as vigorous and well-built, often above average height, with broad shoulders and muscular frames. Their noses, less arched than those of the Sioux, were sometimes aquiline or slightly curved, but never broad, and their cheekbones were less prominent. While some women were robust and tall, they were typically shorter and broad-shouldered. Men paid great attention to their headdress, often sporting long, stiff ornaments made of sticks entwined with wire and fastened to the hair, reaching down to the shoulders. These ornaments were covered with porcupine quills dyed in intricate patterns, topped with a horizontally fastened eagle feather, its quill end adorned with red cloth and the tip with yellow-dyed horsehair. These ornaments were varied and symbolic. Tattooing was practiced sparingly, primarily on the left breast with black parallel stripes and other figures.
Mandan villages consisted of circular clay-covered log huts, built close together without a clear pattern. The huts were slightly vaulted with a portico-like entrance. A square opening in the center of the roof served as a smoke vent, covered by a circular screen of twigs. The interiors were spacious, with four strong pillars supporting the roof and crossbeams. The exterior was covered with willow and twig matting, followed by hay or grass, and finally a layer of earth. Beds were placed against the hut walls, consisting of large, square parchment or skin cases with a square entrance, large enough to comfortably accommodate several people on skins and blankets.
Culture and Society
The Mandan cultivated maize, beans, gourds, and sunflowers, and they were skilled at manufacturing earthenware, tempering the clay with flint or granite reduced to powder by fire. Polygamy was a common practice. Their beliefs and ceremonies resembled those of other Plains tribes. The Mandan maintained a friendly relationship with the United States, and beginning in 1866, many men served as scouts.
In the time of Lewis and Clark, the Mandan population was estimated at 1,250, rising to 1,600 by 1837 before the smallpox epidemic decimated their numbers to between 125 and 150. By the turn of the century, their population was estimated at around 250.
Tribal Divisions and Present-Day Identity
Historically, the Mandan were divided into several groups, likely corresponding to their villages before consolidation:
- Horatamumake (Kharatanunanke)
- Matonumake (Matonumanke)
- Seepooshka (Sipushkanumanke)
- Tanatsuka (Tanetsukanumanke)
- Kitanemake (Khitanumanke)
- Estapa (Histapenumanke)
- Meteahke
Today, the Mandan are part of the Three Affiliated Tribes, also known as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, located in New Town, North Dakota.
Contact Information:
Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation
404 Frontage Road
New Town, North Dakota 58763
701-627-4781