hiawatha
Definition
Proper noun 1. A historical Native American leader: Hiawatha was a chief and co-founder of the Iroquois Confederacy, known for his role in promoting peace and unity among tribes and with European settlers in the 16th century. 2. A literary and cultural figure: The name is widely recognized from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 epic poem The Song of Hiawatha, which romanticized and popularized the figure, blending historical and mythological elements.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- The historical Hiawatha is credited with helping to establish the Great Law of Peace.
- Many people first learn the name Hiawatha from Longfellow's famous poem.
Advanced Usage
- "The Legend of Hiawatha": Often used to refer to the body of stories, both historical and mythical, surrounding the figure.
- The legend of Hiawatha is a cornerstone of Iroquois oral tradition.
- Used as a symbolic reference to ideals of peace, diplomacy, or Native American heritage.
- The speaker invoked the spirit of Hiawatha in his call for unity.
Variants and Related Words
- Iroquois Confederacy (n): Also known as the Haudenosaunee, the powerful alliance of tribes that Hiawatha helped found.
- Deganawida (n): The Great Peacemaker, the spiritual leader with whom Hiawatha worked to form the Iroquois Confederacy.
Synonyms
- Peacemaker
- Chief
- Statesman (in the context of inter-tribal diplomacy)
Notes on Meaning
- Historical vs. Literary: It is important to distinguish between the historical 16th-century leader and the fictionalized character from Longfellow's poem. The poem's character is a composite figure who performs mythical deeds.
- Cultural Significance: For the Haudenosaunee people, Hiawatha is a revered historical figure central to their founding narrative. In broader American culture, the name is often associated primarily with the literary character.
Noun
-
a Native American chieftain who argued for peace with the European settlers (16th century)
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