Description
The Narragansett people are an Algonquian American Indian tribe from Rhode Island. Today, Narragansett people are enrolled in the federally recognized Narragansett Indian Tribe. They gained federal recognition in 1983. The Narragansett Indians are the descendants of the aboriginal people of the State of Rhode Island. Archaeological evidence and the oral history of the Narragansett People establish their existence in this region more than 30,000 years ago. This history transcends all written documentaries and is present upon the faces of rock formations and through oral history.
Language
Narragansett Indians all speak English today. In the past, the Narragansetts spoke their native Narragansett language.
Culture
The Narragansett lived in inland villages during the winter months and in coastal villages during summer months. In the winter, the trees protected the villages from the harsh weather. These villages were located near sources of fresh water, especially springs. They were also close to hunting grounds, fresh water ponds that, when frozen, could be used for ice fishing, and near forested areas that not only provided wood for their “Nusqweetoo” or longhouse, but also for cooking fires, and granted access to other harvestable resources. In the spring, the Narragansett moved to their summer villages located along the bay, near salt ponds and ocean waters that provided fresh food. The community also used seaweed and fish to fertilize the gardens as part of their agricultural work.