The story of Pocahontas and John Smith is one that resonates through history, often painted with romanticism and adventure. However, to truly understand Pocahontas, or Matoaka as she was originally known, we must delve deeper than popular narratives. The Mattaponi tribe’s oral history, meticulously documented in “The True Story of Pocahontas: The Other Side of History,” offers a profound alternative perspective on her life, especially her formative years before she encountered figures like John Smith. This account, rooted in sacred traditions, reveals a Pocahontas far richer and more complex than the simplified tales often told.
Born Matoaka, meaning “flower between two streams,” she was the cherished daughter of Wahunsenaca, also known as Chief Powhatan, and his first, beloved wife. Her birth name was deeply connected to her Mattaponi heritage, as her mother hailed from the village nestled between the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers. Tragically, Matoaka’s mother passed away during childbirth, leaving Wahunsenaca heartbroken but finding solace in his daughter. He affectionately called her Pocahontas, meaning “laughing and joyous one,” a name that mirrored the vibrant spirit of her mother and the joy she brought into his life. This intimate detail from the Mattaponi oral history highlights the deep personal connection within Pocahontas’s family, a dimension often missing from mainstream historical accounts that primarily focus on her interactions with English settlers like John Smith.
Despite the paramount chief’s deep affection for Pocahontas, Wahunsenaca made the considered decision to have her raised in her mother’s Mattaponi village. This upbringing, away from the political center of Werowocomoco, was entrusted to her aunts and cousins, who embraced her as their own. This communal upbringing is a significant aspect of Powhatan culture emphasized in the oral history. It underscores the importance of family and community in shaping young Matoaka’s early life, a stark contrast to the individualistic narratives often associated with the Pocahontas and John Smith story.
Once weaned, Pocahontas returned to live with her father at Werowocomoco, yet her bond with her Mattaponi family remained strong. Wahunsenaca, despite having other children, held Pocahontas in a special regard. This mutual love and respect between father and daughter is a recurring theme in the Mattaponi narrative, emphasizing that their actions, including those involving the later arrival of the English, were rooted in this deep familial connection. Pocahontas grew up surrounded by older siblings, many of whom held prominent positions in Powhatan society, ensuring her upbringing was one of both privilege and responsibility. Her family’s protectiveness and the expectations placed upon her as the paramount chief’s favorite daughter shaped her character long before any encounter with John Smith or the colonists.
Childhood for Pocahontas in Powhatan society was distinctly different from adulthood. Visible markers, such as hairstyles and clothing, signified this transition. During her childhood, Pocahontas would have adhered to specific cultural norms, including restrictions on participating in certain ceremonies. Even as a child, and especially as the daughter of Wahunsenaca, she was subject to greater discipline and expected to embody the values of Powhatan society. This rigorous upbringing and training further highlight the structured world Pocahontas inhabited, a world far removed from the romanticized portrayals that often overshadow the genuine cultural context of her life before the arrival of John Smith and the English.
When the English settlers arrived, the Powhatan people, guided by their quiakros (priests), initially welcomed them with open arms. The Powhatan desired friendship and trade, viewing the newcomers as potential allies. The quiakros, serving as spiritual leaders, political advisors, and historians, advocated for integrating the English into their existing world. Wahunsenaca, trusting the wisdom of the quiakros, agreed to this approach. This initial period of welcome and the Powhatan’s strategic approach to the English sets the stage for the complex interactions that would follow, including the narratives surrounding Pocahontas and John Smith. The winter of 1607 marked a period of solidified friendship, a moment of hope for peaceful coexistence before the inevitable clashes and misunderstandings that would later define the relationship between the Powhatan and the English colonists.
In conclusion, the Mattaponi oral history provides a crucial counter-narrative to the traditional Pocahontas and John Smith story. It reveals a young Matoaka deeply rooted in her family, culture, and the traditions of the Powhatan people. Her early life, shaped by love, responsibility, and a rich cultural heritage, offers a vital perspective for understanding the woman Pocahontas became and the complexities of her interactions with the English settlers who arrived on her shores. By focusing on Matoaka’s story before the well-known encounters, we gain a more authentic and nuanced appreciation for her life and legacy.
