Tsenacommacah

Powhatan Confederacy
Tsenacommacah  (Powhatan)
Late 1500s–1677
The Powhatan Confederacy ca. 1607
CapitalWerowocomoco, Powhatan
(late 1500s–1609)

Orapakes
(1609–1614)

Matchut
(1614–?)
Common languagesPowhatan
Religion
Native American religion
GovernmentConfederation
Mamanatowick 
• late 1500s–1618
Wahunsenacawh
• 1618–1619
Opichapum
• 1619–1646
Opchanacanough
• 1646–1655
Necotowance
• 1646–1657
Totopotomoi
Historical eraEarly modern period
• Wahunsenacawh creates the Powhatan Confederacy
Late 1500s
1610-1614
1622-1626
1644-1646
1676
• Treaty of 1677
1677
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Powhatan (Native American leader)
Arrohattoc
Appomattoc
Pamunkey
Mattaponi
Kiskiack
Colony of Virginia

Tsenacommacah (pronounced /ˌsɛnəˈkɒməkə/ in English; "densely inhabited land"; also written Tscenocomoco, Tsenacomoco, Tenakomakah, Attanoughkomouck, and Attan-Akamik) was the land of the Powhatan People.[1] It is in parts of Virginia. In the Powhatan language, it means "densely inhabited land."[2] The Powhatan Confederacy was made of 31 tribes that lived on the land Tsenacommacah. It was largely reduced after the Anglo–Powhatan Wars. Several of the present-day tribes still live on the land.[3]

References

  1. Waugaman, Sandra F. and Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, Ph.D. We're Still Here: Contemporary Virginia Indians Tell Their Stories. Richmond: Palri Publushing, 2006 (revised edition)
  2. "Werowocomoco". www.virginiaplaces.org. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  3. Kimberlain, Joanne. "We're Still Here." Virginian-Pilot. June 7–9, 2009: Print.