Opeththa (or Opessa)(Shawnee Kispoko chief)

Father: Thithicki (Indian Chief)


Opeththa is often spelled Opessa in the early documents. He was thirty two years old at the time he led his followers to the Illinois River and then into Ohio.

The Shawnee were a very migrant people, but their villages were found primarily in the Ohio River Valley region, in the present-day states of Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

The role of Shawnee men was to hunt game and protect the villages and the People. Shawnee women grew corn and other crops, built the family wegiwas (homes), and cared for the children. The Shawnee were a very religious people, and admired courage and strength above all else.

The Shawnee were divided into five sects: The Chillicothe and Thawakila sects were in charge of political matters; the principal chief of the tribe must belong to one of these sects. The Mekoce sect was responsible for religious ceremonies. The Piqua sect were the speakers for the chiefs of the tribe. The Kispoko sect were the warriors.

 


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