1. Great Law of Peace:
- Central to the Haudenosaunee culture and governance.
- Established principles for peaceful coexistence, unity, and decision-making.
2. Longhouse:
- Traditional dwellings shared by multiple extended families.
- Central hearth, sleeping areas, and storage spaces.
- Each family has a designated section within the longhouse.
3. Clan System:
- Society organized into matrilineal clans.
- Clan membership passed down through the mother's line.
- Clans play significant roles in social structure and ceremonial life.
4. Mohawk Language:
- Primary language of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
- Spoken by members of the Mohawk Nation and used in ceremonies and official gatherings.
5. Three Sisters Agriculture:
- Traditional agricultural practice involving the cultivation of corn, beans, and squash together.
- Each crop supports and benefits the growth of the others, promoting crop diversity and resilience.
6. Wampum Belts:
- Ornamental belts made from white and purple beads.
- Serve as diplomatic gifts, convey messages, and record important events and agreements.
7. False Face Society:
- Healing and spiritual society with members who wear intricately carved wooden masks during ceremonies.
- Performances aim to cure illnesses, protect against evil, and bring blessings to the community.
8. Longhouse Religion:
- Spiritual practices centered on the Haudenosaunee creation story.
- Focus on maintaining balance and harmony between the natural and spirit worlds.
9. Midwinter Ceremony:
- Annual ceremony taking place in mid-February.
- Celebrates the start of a new agricultural year and reinforces cultural values and practices.
10. Social Dances and Songs:
- Traditional dances and songs performed at social gatherings, ceremonies, and festivals.
- Music played through instruments such as drums, rattles, and flutes.
These traditions are central to the cultural identity, governance, and spiritual practices of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, passing down ancestral knowledge and sustaining a rich cultural heritage.