Sagamore (title)

As the leader of the Sagamore Abenaki Indians were called, belonging to the indigenous people of northern New England in the USA. The position was not strictly hereditary, but there was a patrilineal tendency for passing. The term Sagamore probably comes from the word Sakema from the language of the Eastern Abenaki and was employed with them for the local leaders. A Sagamore was usually the head of a large family. He enlarged his family and relatives won by so many marriages added as he could adequately supply women. He built on his father's relationships with relatives and non- relatives, to expand its influence. Sometimes he was also a shaman, a property that is generally enlarged his charisma and influence. Bashabes, a leader of the Kennebec, was an exceptional example of such a man. His authority had spread over all the Eastern Abenaki.