Born in 1596, Amonute, also known as Matoaka, was born in Jamestown, Virginia. Her playful nature earned her the nickname ‘Pocahontas,’ which means ‘the playful one’.
This is her story.
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Pocahontas’ father, the Chief
Her father, Wahunsenaca, was the Mamanatowick (leader) of a network of tributary tribes in the Tsenacommacah. Later, when the English came, they decided to name the place the ‘Powhatan Confederacy,’ and so the chief of the confederacy came to be known as ‘Chief Powhatan’.
When Wahunsenaca first came to power, he initially controlled only six tribes. But by the 17th century, he had gained control of over 30 tribes by using various diplomatic and military strategies.
Now, it was the tradition of the time that each tribe would select a woman to temporarily marry the chief. The woman would be free to return to her people once she gave birth to a child. This ensured that a blood alliance was formed between the chief and the tribes.
After giving birth, the woman was welcomed in her tribe with honour as she was now the mother of the chief’s child. Amonute was one of the many children born out of such marriages. While the English records do not name Amonute’s mother, the native resources mention that she was a member of the Metaponi Tribe. This tribe was one of the six that Wahunsenaca controlled at the start.
Later, some Englishmen would write that they believed that she was her father’s favourite. Many historians believe that there is no way the English would have known who was the chief’s favourite child, if he had any, and they made this fact up because they believed Amonute to be in their favour and wanted to paint her in a positive light.