Just like their territory the Nez Pearce's culture was also very diverse.
Hunting and Food Gathering:
The Nez Pearce migrate from area to area of their territory during the year based on where their food source during the time is. During the summer the Nez Pearce live in large groups surrounding their major rivers, the Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers, to fish. They caught mostly salmon and trout. They used a sophisticated system of nets and traps along with traditional hooks and spears. During the fall they would split up into smaller bands and the men would hunt deer, elk, and bears in the dense forests. For this task they utilized bows and arrows. During this time the women would preserve the years bounty to ensure there would be enough food for the harsh winter where little to no hunting was done and most of their time was spent inside. When the ground thawed and spring came calling it was the women's turn to feed the band. During this time they would gather and dry roots like the camas root, nuts, and berries like the blackberries and elderberries.
The Nez Pearce migrate from area to area of their territory during the year based on where their food source during the time is. During the summer the Nez Pearce live in large groups surrounding their major rivers, the Snake, Salmon, and Clearwater Rivers, to fish. They caught mostly salmon and trout. They used a sophisticated system of nets and traps along with traditional hooks and spears. During the fall they would split up into smaller bands and the men would hunt deer, elk, and bears in the dense forests. For this task they utilized bows and arrows. During this time the women would preserve the years bounty to ensure there would be enough food for the harsh winter where little to no hunting was done and most of their time was spent inside. When the ground thawed and spring came calling it was the women's turn to feed the band. During this time they would gather and dry roots like the camas root, nuts, and berries like the blackberries and elderberries.
Migrations:
As mentioned above the Nez Pearce moved around with the seasons as food became available. During the summer they settled by the major rivers before traveling to the mountainous forests in the fall. They descended to the foothills during the winter. During the spring they invaded the prairies.
As mentioned above the Nez Pearce moved around with the seasons as food became available. During the summer they settled by the major rivers before traveling to the mountainous forests in the fall. They descended to the foothills during the winter. During the spring they invaded the prairies.
General Culture:
The Nez Pearce tribe was divided into different bands. While once a year they came together they were mostly spread out over a large area to hunt and gather throughout the year. During the winter they lived in long houses which were big enough to house up to thirty families. Because of how spread out the were each tribe was governed by a chief who acted as a mediator and a punisher. Since the territory was so big and they traveled so far the introduction of horses changed their entire society. They could travel easier throughout the rough terrain. It also alleviated the burden placed on their dogs who helped them hunt and before the horses helped them migrate. They were very connected to the world they lived in. Their religion even incorporated various animals from their climate zones by making them their guardian spirits called wyakin. They wore deerskin clothes died bright colors with the berries that grew in their territories.
The Nez Pearce tribe was divided into different bands. While once a year they came together they were mostly spread out over a large area to hunt and gather throughout the year. During the winter they lived in long houses which were big enough to house up to thirty families. Because of how spread out the were each tribe was governed by a chief who acted as a mediator and a punisher. Since the territory was so big and they traveled so far the introduction of horses changed their entire society. They could travel easier throughout the rough terrain. It also alleviated the burden placed on their dogs who helped them hunt and before the horses helped them migrate. They were very connected to the world they lived in. Their religion even incorporated various animals from their climate zones by making them their guardian spirits called wyakin. They wore deerskin clothes died bright colors with the berries that grew in their territories.