Exploring The History of The Albemarle Sound
This month, we will be further exploring the history of the Albemarle Sound, going all the way back to the earliest encounters. In addition, there is a feature on the Chowan Edenton Environmental Group (CEEG) as well as a 2022 sponsor feature on the Chowan Arts Council.
History of The Albemarle Sound Part 2:
Native American Maritime Culture
One of the goals of this newsletter is to explore topics regarding the Albemarle Sound and surrounding waters. This will include the history surrounding the water, the health of the marine fishery, and what can be done to help.
One of the primary reasons for creating Clear Living Waters and the Albemarle Rock Fish Festival was to spread awareness about environmental concerns regarding the Albemarle Sound. By understanding our history, not only can we create an increased appreciation, but we can begin to understand the impacts the water has endured due to human exploitation.
Last month's newsletter began by discussing a topic the Albemarle Sound is arguably most known for, the historic herring fishery. To read more about the herring fishery, visit the content tab on our website.
This month, we want to explore even further back to the earliest inhabitants of the Albemarle Sound region.
It is amazing to learn that the sound was adored for centuries before the present day. Before European colonization of the area, the Albemarle Sound was inhabited by indigenous peoples. One such tribe was the Weapemoec (also known as Yeopim), who lived on the north shore of the Albemarle Sound, near what is now Edenton. They were first visited by Ralph Lane and colonists in 1585/1586 during their expedition to create what is now known as the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. Weapemoec translates to "People at the Nice Ocean," and Yeopim translates to "ocean." Among other things, the Yeopim subsisted off of the water, eating fish and shellfish (www.lost-colony.com/Yeopim). Up until colonization forced them away and killed most of the people, they had a strong maritime culture.
This culture manifested in their eating habits, where they lived, the way they hunted, rituals, and more. One of the more interesting facts is how water drove their superstitions and ritual tendencies. "Religious ritual and superstition surrounded the majority of their maritime activities and water was absolutely the most feared element. Any signs of storms or unsettled waters would lead to a pacification ritual with the throwing of tobacco and other herbs into the water" (Weapemeoc_Shores_The_Loss_of_Traditional.pdf).
Water did not only manifest itself as fear for the Weapemoec, it was also the most natural and abundant resource for the tribe. As such, "when a meeting was called between two or more groups, a headwater was chosen. The Weapemeoc and the neighboring Indians could navigate to the headwater of any river, even one that they had never before traveled. They could also traverse wide sounds with ease, even if the distant shore was not visible from the launching point. Weapemeoc men and women could handle their canoes with ease. Canoes were abundant and temporary canoes could be made easily on the spot to be disposed of or left in waiting for future use upon reaching their destination" (Weapemeoc_Shores_The_Loss_of_Traditional.pdf)
The Weapemeoc were part of the Algonquian confederation. The picture below is a watercolor made by John White on his colonization expeditions of an Algonquian tribe spearfishing in clear waters teeming with fish.
As we look out at the modern-day Edenton Bay and Albemarle Sound, it is remarkable to imagine the lives of the people who inhabited this area hundreds of years ago, and how they had an equal appreciation for its bounty. One of the goals of Clear Living Waters is to bring the prosperity of the sound back to what it once was.
July Sponsor Feature
Chowan Edenton Environmental Group
Recently, we had the pleasure of talking with the chair of the Chowan Edenton Environmental Group (CEEG), Colleen Karl. We asked her to provide some insight into a couple of our key questions.
When asked how people could help with water quality issues, she said: "Maintaining our local water quality is the job of all citizens in a community - "it takes a village", so to speak. People need to feel that they are contributing in some way and not just with money."
Colleen also prompted us to look at the Chowan Edenton Environmental Group's newest local project on their Facebook page as they seek to understand the relationship between poor water quality (algal blooms) and surrounding air quality. "This project is the spin-off from 2 years of very sophisticated aerosol research that was ongoing in the Edenton area/Chowan River helping us to understand that many of the particles given off by cyanobacteria blooms have the potential to carry toxins and other chemicals that are not good for us to breathe in."
We are looking forward to talking more with Colleen and the CEEG in the future, but for now, make sure to check out their website and Facebook page:
2022 Festival T-Shirts Still Available
Pick up at 307 South Broad Street
Available in blue & white
$20, payable by Venmo, cash, or check
Message us by email, Facebook, or Instagram to see if we have your size and color, or just stop by!
July Sponsor Feature
Each month, Clear Living Waters is choosing a different 2022 festival sponsor to feature! This month, we are featuring the Chowan Arts Council.
"The Chowan Arts Council was founded in 1976 in Edenton, NC. We are a non-profit, member-supported organization that provides a forum for artists through gallery space, exhibits, and cultural events. Our mission is to enrich our community by promoting the cultural value of the arts, celebrating artistic diversity, and fostering all forms of creative expression. As a part of this mission, we offer exhibit space to new and established artists to share the enriching/uplifting value of the visual, literacy, and performance arts with people from all walks of life, and to foster creativity and encourage participation in the arts by providing inspiring programs and workshops."
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