Massachusetts

===Pre-colonization===

Massachusetts was originally inhabited by tribes of the [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian language family]], including [[Wampanoag people|Wampanoag]], [[Narragansett people|Narragansett]], [[Nipmuc]], [[Pocomtuc]], [[Mahican]], and [[Massachusett]].{{sfn|Brown|Tager|2000|pp=6–7}}<ref name=Mohican>{{cite web |title=Origin & Early Mohican History |publisher=Stockbridge-Munsee Community—Band of Mohican Indians |access-date=October 21, 2009 |url=http://mohican-nsn.gov/Departments/Library-Museum/Mohican_History/origin-and-early.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912122346/http://mohican-nsn.gov/Departments/Library-Museum/Mohican_History/origin-and-early.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2009 }}</ref> While cultivation of crops like [[Cucurbita|squash]] and [[maize|corn]] were an important part of their diet, the people of these tribes [[Hunting|hunted]], [[Fishing|fished]], and searched the forest for most of their food.{{sfn|Brown|Tager|2000|pp=6–7}} Villagers lived in lodges called [[wigwam]]s as well as [[longhouse]]s.<ref name="Mohican" /> Tribes were led by male or female elders known as [[sachem]]s.{{sfn|Brown|Tager|2000|p=7}}