The myth goes that first man and woman on Earth grew corn as plants. Corn became an important food source for Indigenous communities when the woman saw a turkey consuming the golden kernels and realized they were edible.
Long before they were a Thanksgiving staple, turkeys have played significant roles in Native American culture. In Hopi mythology, a turkey deity known as the koyona katsina danced with other birds in nightly ceremonies or during the Mixed Dances of spring. In Aztec mythology, Chalchiuhtotolin, “the jade turkey,” was the god of disease and plague.
Turkeys weren’t widely consumed until Spanish conquistadors brought them to Europe following their conquest of Mexico in 1519. It’s possible that some of those turkeys made their way onto the menu during the first Thanksgiving dinner in the 17th century. Advertisement.
A mass grave containing over fifty turkeys was found by archaeologists in 2012 close to a 1,000-year-old Native American village in the Colorado town of Dove Creek. The bodies had been carefully arranged within a circle of stones, indicating a ceremonial burial.
In sites in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, researchers discovered numerous additional arrangements of whole turkeys along with other animals; some sites date back to the 750s to the 1500s. These burials appear to have been connected to springtime crop planting and fertility rites because young turkeys were present.
The feathers of turkeys have also long been associated with a significant spiritual significance in Native American culture, according to archaeologist and member of the Comanche Nation and Santa Clara Pueblo Mary Weahkee. The white or thunderhead-black feathers, which represent clouds and rain, were especially prized, Weahkee said. Advertisement.
The Tuscarora and Catawba tribes in the south used feathers for headdresses, while the Wampanoag tribe in the east used the feathers for cloaks.
According to researchers, an old blanket that was painstakingly crafted from 11,500 turkey feathers and dates to the early 1200s CE also demonstrated the cultural significance of turkeys.
“This reverence for turkeys and their feathers is still evident today in Pueblo dances and rituals. They are just as significant symbolically and culturally as eagle feathers, according to Bill Lipe, an anthropology professor at Washington State University.
Did Native Americans eat turkey? The answer, like many things in history, is complex and nuanced. While turkeys are often associated with Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrated in the United States, their relationship with Native Americans goes back much further, spanning thousands of years and encompassing a rich tapestry of cultural practices.
Before the Arrival of Europeans:
Long before Europeans set foot on American soil, turkeys played a significant role in the lives of various Native American tribes. Archaeological evidence suggests that turkeys were domesticated by certain groups as early as 2,000 years ago. These early interactions with turkeys went beyond simply eating them.
Beyond the Plate:
Turkeys were not just a source of food for Native Americans. Their feathers were used for clothing, adornment, and ceremonial purposes. Turkey bones were crafted into tools and instruments The birds even held symbolic significance in some cultures, appearing in artwork and mythology
A Culinary Connection:
While turkeys were not the centerpiece of every meal, they were certainly consumed by various Native American groups. Archaeological evidence, including the presence of turkey bones at campsites and the discovery of tools used for butchering, points to the consumption of turkey meat.
A Changing Landscape:
The arrival of Europeans in the 16th century brought significant changes to the relationship between Native Americans and turkeys. European colonists introduced new breeds of turkeys, which were larger and easier to raise. This, combined with the decimation of Native American populations due to disease and conflict, led to a decline in the traditional ways of interacting with turkeys.
A Modern Thanksgiving Feast:
Today, turkeys are synonymous with Thanksgiving, a holiday that has its roots in a 17th-century harvest festival celebrated by European colonists and the Wampanoag people. While the historical accuracy of the “first Thanksgiving” narrative is debated, the association of turkeys with the holiday remains strong.
A Legacy of Respect:
Despite the changes brought about by European colonization, many Native American communities continue to hold turkeys in high regard. Traditional practices of using turkey feathers and bones for various purposes persist in some communities. The bird remains a symbol of cultural heritage and connection to the land.
The answer to the question “Did Native Americans eat turkey?” is a resounding yes. However, their relationship with the bird extends far beyond the culinary realm. Turkeys were, and continue to be, an integral part of Native American culture, embodying a deep connection to the natural world and a rich tapestry of traditions. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s important to remember and honor this legacy of respect and reverence for the majestic turkey.
Turkeys weren’t originally used as a food source
According to the researchers who created the turkey blanket, until European settlers arrived in North America in the 1500s and 1600s, turkeys were among the few domesticated animals in the continent. Advertisement.
Ancient Native Americans fed turkeys corn, which was a precious crop at the time, according to archaeologist R. Kyle Bocinsky. Just three adult turkeys would have eaten as much corn as one human in a year, Bocinsky said.
Additionally, it appears from archeological evidence that Indigenous societies did not use turkeys as a food source until approximately 1050, when other main food sources, such as deer, started to decline. Few turkey bones showed signs of butchering, and turkey remains seldom appeared in trash piles.
Although turkeys became a widespread food source shortly after, the bird never lost its spiritual significance. The turkey and its feathers have symbolic meaning even today, continuing a centuries-old custom among Native American tribes.
Why Do We Eat Turkey During the Holidays?
FAQ
Who first ate turkey?
Did natives eat turkey eggs?
Was turkey native to America?
What did the natives call turkey?
Did Native Americans eat turkeys before Thanksgiving?
This is the first time scientists have suggested that turkeys were potentially domesticated by early Native Americans in the southeastern United States. Hundreds of years before the first Thanksgiving, Native Americans were raising and feasting on America’s classic holiday meal.
Did Native Americans domesticate turkeys?
This is the first time scientists have suggested that turkeys were potentially domesticated by early Native Americans in the southeastern United States. “In the Americas, we have just a few domesticated animals,” Peres said. “Researchers haven’t really talked about the possibility of Native Americans domesticating or raising turkeys.”
What did Native Americans eat before Thanksgiving?
Researchers knew that turkeys had been a part of Native American life long before the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Their feathers were used on arrows, in headdresses and clothing. The meat was used for food. Their bones were used for tools including scratchers used in ritual ceremonies.
Did Native Americans manage turkeys?
Peres and Ledford came across a few curiosities as they examined skeletons of turkeys from archaeological sites in Tennessee that led them to believe that Native Americans were actively managing these fowls. For one, the groupings researchers worked on had more male turkeys than a typical flock.