The Algonquians are Patrilineal. In other words, relationships are established through the father. When a couple marries, the woman joins her husband’s family and lives with them. One could say that the man is considered to be the head of the family.

Men’s tasks

The main task of men was to make sure there was enough food for the entire band. It was the men who did the hunting and fishing. Men were also responsible for trading with other bands and nations. When the Algonquians were at war, the men did the fighting. When the band moved, the men carried almost nothing. Instead, they kept their weapons on hand so that they could hunt any game they might encounter along the way.

Author: Alexandre Lanoix

Important concepts & Big ideas

[glossary slug=’Patrilinealsociety’]
[glossary slug=’divisionoflabour’]
[glossary slug=’resources’]
[glossary slug=’richinresources’]
[glossary slug=’warfare’]
[glossary slug=’socialstructure’]
[glossary slug=’nomad’]
[glossary slug=’tradenetwork’]

Connect the Facts Game

Cards for this page: 

English:
Man head of family
Men’s roles – warriors
Men’s roles- hunters, fishers

French:
La société patrilinéaire
Les rôles des hommes – les guerriers
Les rôles des hommes – chasseurs, pêcheurs

 

 

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