Item Number: POW-07
Item Name: Powhatan Warrior with Bow
Description: The Powhatan people may refer to any of the indigenous Algonquian people that are traditionally from eastern Virginia. It is estimated that there were about 14,000-21,000 Powhatan people in eastern Virginia, when English colonists established Jamestown in 1607.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a “Mamanatowick” (paramount chief) named Wahunsenacawh created an organization by affiliating 30 tributary peoples, whose territory was much of eastern Virginia. They called this area Tsenacommacah (“densely inhabited land”).After
Wahunsenacawh’s death in 1618, hostilities with colonists escalated
under the chiefdom of his brother, Opchanacanough, who sought in vain to
expel encroaching English colonists. His large scale attacks in 1622
and 1644 met strong reprisals by the colonists, resulting in near
elimination of the tribe.
By 1646, what is called the Powhattan Paramount Chiefdom by modern
historians had been decimated. More important than the ongoing conflicts
with the English colonial settlements was the high rate of deaths the
Powhattan suffered due to new infectious diseases carried to North
America by Europeans, such as measles and smallpox.
The native Americans did not have any immunity to these, which had
been endemic in Europe and Asia for centuries. The wholesale deaths
greatly weakened and hollowed out the native American societies.
There are several detailed accounts of the Powhatan peoples, but
we are fortunate to have the exquisite water-colors of John White, who
was the governor of the second Roanoke Settlement. Luck would have it
he was gathering supplies in England when his colony vanished.
The main weapon of all the Indians faced by the English settlers
during this period was the longbow. This measured 5-6ft. and was made
from witch-hazel or hickory. It was noted that the Indian bows were
quick, but not very strong or accurate.
Company: John Jenkins Designs
Size: 1/30th Scale or 60mm hand painted metal miniatures
Status: Current