"Alsoomse and Wanchese," Algonquians at Roanoke Island 1583-1584
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1HaroldTitus
"Alsoomse and Wanchese," by Harold Titus
“Mother, I want to question things. Know the why of things. Decide things. Why must weroances, priests, and a husband – kind or not -- decide who I must be?”
“We gave you your name for a reason.”
“That is not an answer.”
“Be respectful, child, dutiful. The gods have taught us our roles. We must obey them, please them. We must please also the wise ones who speak to them. Life is perilous, Alsoomse. Kiwasa makes it so. Weigh what you think before you act. Accept.”
He marveled at the potency of his temper. He was surprised that his blow to Askook’s head had not been followed by a fist to the throat and a crushing knee to the side of the skull.
He savored the idea.
Something inside him had interfered.
Had Askook been a Pomouik, he would not have hesitated. He was a warrior. Any man who chose to make himself an enemy needed to beware.
Askook had laid bare his deficiency.
Roanoke Island. 1583. Hunter’s Moon. Ten months before the English appear at Roanoke Island. 17-year-old Alsoomse desires freedom to doubt, discover, aspire without tribal hindrance. Self-willed 19-year-old Wanchese seeks to become one of his mananatowick's essential men. Each opposes injustice. Deciding for themselves what is true, what is just, desiring independence, accomplishment, fulfillment, sister and brother separately take flight.
I wanted to write an Algonquian story, not a story just about Englishmen encountering North Carolina/Roanoke Indians. I focused on 1583-1584, who the natives were, how they lived, what were their aspirations and conflicts. I wanted to convey the message that human beings are human beings regardless of time, place, and cultural advancement.
“Mother, I want to question things. Know the why of things. Decide things. Why must weroances, priests, and a husband – kind or not -- decide who I must be?”
“We gave you your name for a reason.”
“That is not an answer.”
“Be respectful, child, dutiful. The gods have taught us our roles. We must obey them, please them. We must please also the wise ones who speak to them. Life is perilous, Alsoomse. Kiwasa makes it so. Weigh what you think before you act. Accept.”
He marveled at the potency of his temper. He was surprised that his blow to Askook’s head had not been followed by a fist to the throat and a crushing knee to the side of the skull.
He savored the idea.
Something inside him had interfered.
Had Askook been a Pomouik, he would not have hesitated. He was a warrior. Any man who chose to make himself an enemy needed to beware.
Askook had laid bare his deficiency.
Roanoke Island. 1583. Hunter’s Moon. Ten months before the English appear at Roanoke Island. 17-year-old Alsoomse desires freedom to doubt, discover, aspire without tribal hindrance. Self-willed 19-year-old Wanchese seeks to become one of his mananatowick's essential men. Each opposes injustice. Deciding for themselves what is true, what is just, desiring independence, accomplishment, fulfillment, sister and brother separately take flight.
I wanted to write an Algonquian story, not a story just about Englishmen encountering North Carolina/Roanoke Indians. I focused on 1583-1584, who the natives were, how they lived, what were their aspirations and conflicts. I wanted to convey the message that human beings are human beings regardless of time, place, and cultural advancement.
