As she grew, she would have been taught women's work even though the favorite daughter of the paramount chief Powhatan afforded her a more privileged lifestyle and more protection, she still needed to know how to be an adult woman. In winter, she could have worn a deerskin mantle (not everyone could afford one). The shaven parts were probably bristly most of the time as the Powhatan Indians used mussel shells for shaving.

How a young Pocahontas might have looked.Īs a young girl, Pocahontas would have worn little to no clothing and had her hair shaven except for a small section in the back that was grown out long and usually braided. Her mother, if still living, would then have been free to remarry. Either way, Pocahontas would have eventually returned to live with her father Powhatan and her half-siblings once she was weaned. Some historians have theorized that she died during childbirth, so it is possible that Pocahontas did not leave like most of her half-siblings. However, nothing is written by the English about Pocahontas' mother. The Powhatan Indians called their homeland 'Tsenacomoco.'Īs the daughter of the paramount chief Powhatan, custom dictated that Pocahontas would have accompanied her mother, who would have gone to live in another village, after her birth (Powhatan still cared for them). At its height, the Powhatan Chiefdom had a population of about 25,000 and included more than 30 Algonquian speaking tribes - each with its own werowance (chief). She was the daughter of Wahunsenaca (Chief Powhatan), the mamanatowick (paramount chief) of the Powhatan Chiefdom. She was called 'Pocahontas' as a nickname, which meant 'playful one,' because of her frolicsome and curious nature. Pocahontas was born about 1596 and named 'Amonute,' though she also had a more private name of Matoaka. And yet, many people who know her name do not know much about her.

Most notably, Pocahontas has left an indelible impression that has endured for more than 400 years. Specifically, her story has been told through written historical accounts and, most recently, through the sacred oral history of the Mattaponi. What we do know was written by others, as none of her thoughts or feelings were ever recorded. Not much is known about this memorable woman. Jamestown and Werowocomoco (Powhatan's capital) are underlined in red. Detail of the map showing the various towns in the Powhatan Chiefdom.

Doctor Who by James Kettle