The chief Wampanoag official was known as the sachem. The same official was also sometimes called sagamore. The office was hereditary through the male line—that is, a man’s son would normally succeed him upon his death or retirement. There were some variations upon this arrangement, and occasionally wives, daughters, and nephews succeeded to the position of leadership. If the heir was too young to undertake the responsibility of leadership, the position was usually held for him until he was of age. The arrangements of regency in this event are not known. Usurpation of the sachemship did occur, and if the man who took the position away from the rightful heir could find support and proved a good leader, he could retain the position.[395]
The sachem oversaw the allotment of lands and collected tribute from his followers. This tribute was the source of his wealth. The more followers the sachem could hold, the greater his wealth, therefore people seeing his vast wealth would know he was a powerful sachem. He took pains to please his followers, since those who did not like his policies could leave and join with another sachem.[396]He provided for the poor of his domain and gave presents to his followers.[397]Probably some of the feasts recounted by European observers were given by sachems to express gratitude to loyal followers.
Several special practices were associated with the sachemship. The sachem might have several wives. The first wife (who was the “official wife”) had to be of chiefly descent. The sachem lived in a house that was more elegant than those of his subjects.[398]When strangers came to the territory they were lodged at the sachem’s residence. This allowed the sachem to display his hospitality and also gave him the opportunity to enquire into their business.[399]
A sachem made an annual tour of inspection of his lands, visiting and talking with people and generally evaluating the situation of his territory.[400]A formal tribute of corn was collected once a year, overseen by officials who were designated aspnieses. The corn was brought to a place near the residence of the sachem, and the pnieses officially informed him of the gift. He would then express gratitude verbally and by giving gifts to his people.[401]
The sachem alone did not decide upon the policy of the group. There were other individuals who had a voice of authority in important matters.[402]The pnieses functioned as a tribal council, without whose approval the sachem could not act in some cases.[403]In addition they were also war leaders and a personal bodyguard for the sachem when he went abroad. Old men were respected for their advice (which they frequently dispensed in long formal orations) and were consulted in decisions.[404]Likewise, a powow whose powers were respected and feared would have an influence upon the governmental sphere of tribal activities.[405]
The governmental structure also included “sub-sachems” with more local authority.[406]Their role was mainly one of attending to the needs of their own groups. Among their functions were the settling of quarrels and acting as general intermediaries between the local group and higher authority.[407]