A Tradition In Montville: Mohegan Tribe's Ancient, Annual Wigwam Fest

MONTVILLE, CT —Not unlike most traditions, the Mohegan Tribe's annual Wigwam Festival, held for at least the last 163 years, honors tradition.

But, it has grown, changed and evolved slightly over time. The longtime Green Corn Festival as it's known is held at the end of summer to coincide with the corn harvest at Fort Shantok. For a good part of the 20th century, the Tribe notes, the "Festival helped raise funds for the Mohegan Church and for Mohegan activities." Traditionally held at the Fort, for many years it was held at a local high school.

In 2003, "in an effort to scale back and return to its roots," the Wigwam Festival returned to Fort Shantok. Generally held the third week in August, the festival, "gives us an opportunity to get together and share some aspects of our culture with our friends and neighbors in the community," the Tribe says. And, "in keeping with tradition," the festival is a celebration of Native arts, crafts, foods, traditional dance and storytelling.

"The Wigwam, or Green Corn Festival, is a celebration of thanks, a symbol of Tribal survival and the chance to feel connected to other Tribal members, past and present," the Tribe explains."As with any culture, traditions and symbols serve to connect us to our history, our spiritual life and each other. One of the tragedies for many Indian tribes is that years of repression have caused these traditions to be lost. Still, one of the most unifying traditions for the Mohegan people survives today. The Wigwam, or Green Corn Festival, is all at once a celebration of thanks, a symbol of Tribal survival and the chance to feel connected to other Tribal members, past and present."

The name "Wigwam" comes from the word Wigwomun, meaning "welcome" or "come in the house," according to the Tribe. "In many ways, the Wigwam was a community open house and homecoming. Both corn and home play central roles in the celebration."

Historically, the Festival was held on the site of the current Mohegan Church, at a "fair tree."

"But the tradition started to fade in the 1800s with increasing pressure for the Tribe to Christianize and assimilate," it's noted.

"Medicine Woman Emma Baker revived the Festival just as Tribal lands started to break up in 1860. She incorporated it with the activities of the Mohegan Church Ladies' Sewing Society, making it a source of Tribal solidarity. Inspired by the chance to retain their identity at a dark moment, the Tribe became determined that this should happen."