Special belt links history on both sides of Atlantic
AN intricate belt made to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower ship to America is returning to the Wampanoag people after a special reception held in Plymouth.
The traditional Wampum belt, made of beads cut from shell, has been touring the UK, helping ensure the telling of a shared history as part of Mayflower 400 celebrations.
Steven Peters, a tribal member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Nation, was reunited with the Wampum belt, made by people of the Wampanoag Nation, at the reception held at The Box museum and art gallery in Plymouth on Monday.
“Together, with our partners in the UK, we have corrected historical inaccuracies while properly commemorating a historic event that shaped the world we live in today. We have forged stronger relationships while engaging the public on both sides of the water with interactive exhibitions and unique art installations,” he said.
“Art is a powerful way to tell our story… a story that involves perspective from four nations. I want to thank our partners for taking this journey with us.”
The creation and return of the belt to the Wampanoag in Massachusetts is historically significant, given a famous Wampum belt brought to England more than 300 years ago has not yet been returned.
The Mayflower 400 website says: “Four hundred years ago, the Wampanoag people met the people of the Mayflower when they arrived on American shores. Central to their culture was Wampum – items of huge spiritual significance, made and woven onto belts with extraordinary skill. In 1675-76, the attritional
King Philip’s War waged as the colonists killed thousands of Native Americans in their last stand against the expansion into their lands in what is described as the bloodiest battle in US history.
“Among the fallen was Wampanoag leader Metacom, known as King Philip. His Wampum Belt was seized, stolen and is still missing today.”
The Wampum belt of Metacom was sent to England in 1677. It has been the subject of an intensive international search that began in the 1970s.
Commissioned to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, the new Wampum belt formed the central part of Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America – a touring exhibition cocurated by the Wampanoag people alongside The Box, Plymouth and The British Museum.
Adrian Vinken, chair of the Mayflower 400 Partnership, said: “The Mayflower commemorative programme has had a significant impact across our international partnership, creating new cultural products and experiences here in Plymouth and across our partner locations in the
UK, US and Netherlands, reaching thousands of people directly and millions online and via the media. It has widened the awareness of the Mayflower voyage but, more importantly, the impact of that voyage on people on the other side of the Atlantic and how it has profoundly shaped our world today. We could not have done that without the support of all our partners but especially our Wampanoag colleagues.”
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Cllr Terri Beer and Leader of Plymouth City Council, Cllr Nick Kelly, thanked Mr Peters and the Wampanoag people for their support for Mayflower 400 and contributions to commemorations on both sides of the Atlantic. The reception was also attended by US Embassy representatives.