More about the three sisters

Iroquois Indians lived in new york area and were not what I would call true farmers, they were still a nomadic people for the most part, There was really very little "science" in the farming, like irrigation systems, they mostly acted on cultural mystic belief, they didn't really know why what they did worked. But farming did let them range a lot further than other tribes. The key to travel is absolutely knowing that when you get there you will have food. Without this assurance it was very dicey to move.

Farming was "woman's work" but for the Iroquois Indians this was not a sexist thing. In fact, although the chief was always male, he was elected by women. Divorce was allowed but the children stayed with their mother. In Iroquois culture women had at least equal status to men but in some case had higher status. they farmed because they could be trusted with the task.

Farming today, for the small gardener, is about fresh produce. But for the Iroquois it was about sustained survival. Lets look at the three sisters. Grist corn or popcorn had very low moisture and stored well, this is not the sweet corn we tend to grow. Rattle Snake beans, named for the sound they make when dry, also stored well. Finally pumpkins, most do not realize that kept dry and intact a pumpkin will store for months. They are heavy though so this was most likely a food they ate when they were staying somewhere.

There were three priorities for all early farmers though, first was seed. Second storage crops for winter, then fresh produce. remember, specially for a culture like the Iroquois, food was easy to find in the spring and summer, gathering and hunting were sources of fresh foods. survival was about making it through the winter for everyone. Even in Europe where the potato was a big deal, it was because it stored over winter in the ground.

We farm for very different reasons now, but this year I will be trying to follow these principals, seed saving, storage foods and the produce. The proof will be in next years crop, since I will be hopefully using the seed from this years crop.

Next time... The science of the three sisters