nd powerful leader- fierce and clever. By the seventeenth century he had made his people not less primitive but certainly stronger and more formidable than they had ever been before. He added ruthless organization and totalitarian methods to their lives. He was ready to deal in his own confident and often cruel way with anyone who might challenge his authority. It was into this world, into the household of Chief Powhatan and Powhatan culture, that Pocahontas was born, probably in 1596 or 1597. It is believed that Pocahontas birthplace was Werowocomoco, Powhatan’s residence until 1609. Which of Powhatan many wives was Pocahontas mother is unknown. Pocahontas, like the other Powhatan’s , had two names. Pocahontas given to her by her father means “Bright Stream Between Two Hills” but in Powhatan tongue might mean “ Little Wanton.” Her secret name, known only among her tribesmen was Matoax, “Little Snow Feather.” Pocahontas had her public and her secret names. She had her place in the Powhatan tribe. She was a favorite daughter in her father’s home. As a princess, she was as privileged within the Powhatan world as anyone besides her father could be.Pocahontas performed an important service for the English colonists, the act for which she was immortalized in history. Her rescue of John Smith from a ritualistic Powhatan execution. This reason help keep the Powhatan-English co-operation alive and served to strengthen the colonists morale. In December 1607, as the Powhatan warriors were about to fall on Smith with their clubs, the young princess, stepped out of the crowd of Powhatan’s who had come to witness the execution. She took Smith’s head into her hands and placed her head upon his and begged her father to spare his life. According to Powhatan custom Pocahontas was now Smith’s guardian. Smith had become her special ward or possession. By 1608, fight...
