The chief Wampanoag official was known as the sachem. The same
official was also sometimes called sagamore. The office was
hereditary through the male line—that is, a man’s son would normally
succeed him upon his death or retirement. There were some variations
upon this arrangement, and occasionally wives, daughters, and nephews
succeeded to the position of leadership. If the heir was too young to
undertake the responsibility of leadership, the position was usually
held for him until he was of age. The arrangements of regency in this
event are not known. Usurpation of the sachemship did occur, and if
the man who took the position away from the rightful heir could find
support and proved a good leader, he could retain the position.[395]
The sachem oversaw the allotment of lands and collected tribute from
his followers. This tribute was the source of his wealth. The more
followers the sachem could hold, the greater his wealth, therefore
people seeing his vast wealth would know he was a powerful sachem. He
took pains to please his followers, since those who did not like his
policies could leave and join with another sachem.[396] He provided
for the poor of his domain and gave presents to his followers.[397]
Probably some of the feasts recounted by European observers were
given by sachems to express gratitude to loyal followers.
Several special practices were associated with the sachemship.
The sachem might have several wives. The first wife (who was the
“official wife”) had to be of chiefly descent. The sachem lived in
a house that was more elegant than those of his subjects.[398] When
strangers came to the territory they were lodged at the sachem’s
residence. This allowed the sachem to display his hospitality and
also gave him the opportunity to enquire into their business.[399]
A sachem made an annual tour of inspection of his lands, visiting and
talking with people and generally evaluating the situation of his
territory.[400] A formal tribute of corn was collected once a year,
overseen by officials who were designated as _pnieses_. The corn was
brought to a place near the residence of the sachem, and the pnieses
officially informed him of the gift. He would then express gratitude
verbally and by giving gifts to his people.[401]
The sachem alone did not decide upon the policy of the group. There
were other individuals who had a voice of authority in important
matters.[402] The pnieses functioned as a tribal council, without
whose approval the sachem could not act in some cases.[403] In
addition they were also war leaders and a personal bodyguard for the
sachem when he went abroad. Old men were respected for their advice
(which they frequently dispensed in long formal orations) and were
consulted in decisions.[404] Likewise, a powow whose powers were
respected and feared would have an influence upon the governmental
sphere of tribal activities.[405]
The governmental structure also included “sub-sachems” with more
local authority.[406] Their role was mainly one of attending to the
needs of their own groups. Among their functions were the settling of
quarrels and acting as general intermediaries between the local group
and higher authority.[407]