Virtual Tour

Muyuhkpâhqâmus (ee) “Hazelnut Tree”

Hazel nuts (Muyuhkpâhqâmun (ee) ) of this common forest shrub mature in late summer and were eaten raw or stored for later consumption. These nuts could be very sweet!

Edible

Food Source:

Raw Consumption: Pequots would eat hazelnuts raw.

Roasting and Grinding: They also roasted and ground the nuts, incorporating them into dishes such as stews, soups, and bread.

Medical

Traditional Medicine:

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Pequots believe that hazelnuts possess anti-inflammatory properties. They used them to treat ailments such as colds, coughs, and gastrointestinal issues

Tools

Fuel and Building Material:

Wood Usage: Hazelnut trees provided more than just nuts. Indigenous people utilized the wood for various purposes:

Baskets: Young stems radiating from the trunk were woven into baskets.

Storage Containers: They created storage containers and housing structures.

Arrow Shafts: The wood was fashioned into arrow shafts.

Fire Cultivation: Indigenous communities even used fire to encourage hazelnut growth

Previous Stop

Môyôhqus (ee) “Black Ash Tree”

Black and white ash are sacred to S.N.E.A. people. this is the tree that would be pounded into splint for basket. These and pine trees are linguistically the only trees considered animate.

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Next Stop

Fruit Trees

Apple (Ahpuyôhq (un) and Peach (Peecheesôhq (un) trees, among others, were common place for native peoples after their introduction by Europeans. Many people in our area maintained sizable orchards. This exchange of culture extended into Pequot language with noticeable loan words. English also has Pequot loan words like squash, moose and the town name, Mystic, CT, and even Connecticut.