Historical story

What kind of entertainment did the Abenaki do?

Games:

* Ball games and dice games were popular.

* The ball games were played with deer skin or wooden balls and lacrosse sticks or other throwing implements.

* The dice were made from beaver teeth or wooden sticks and were tossed in a bowl.

* Hockey with a stone puck and wooden sticks could be done on ice or land (ice hockey is known as "Mantishkushon" in eastern dialects of the Abenaki language)

Music and Dancing:

* Men and women would sing together socially but women were the primary musicians on ceremonial occasions.

* The dance was of great significance in all phases of Abenaki life and dances and songs were performed according to the season or occasion; for victory, death, birth and coming-of-age as well as religious events.

* Musical and dancing rituals would also incorporate the use of animal skins and skulls; bears in particular were highly respected and revered by the Abenaki.

Storytelling:

* The Abenaki had a rich tradition of storytelling.

* Oral stories and legends played an important role in preserving important cultural memories and teachings in the absence of a writing tradition.

* One of the most influential Abenaki tales is that of Gluscabe or Glooscap. Gluscabe is the Abenaki culture hero who brought civilization and culture to the Abenaki people.

* Tales of Gluscabe and other spirits have been passed down orally through Abenaki tribes and can still be heard in Abenaki communities to this day.