Mohegan
Mohegan People | |
|---|---|
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Group of Mohegans with Emma Fielding Baker, 1916 | |
| Motto: Mundu Wigo 'The Creator is Good' | |
| Official languages | Mohegan-Pequot |
| Membership | 2,400 (2024 estimate) |
| Today part of | Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Reservation |
The Mohegan are an Indigenous people originally based in what is now southeastern Connecticut in the United States. They are part of the Eastern Algonquian linguistic and cultural family and historically shared close ties with the neighboring Pequot, from whom they separated in the early 17th century. The Mohegan refer to themselves as the "Wolf People," and their cultural identity is deeply rooted in kinship, spirituality, and a reverent relationship with the natural world.
Over the centuries, Mohegan people have maintained their cultural continuity through oral tradition, community life, spiritual practice, and language preservation efforts. While many Mohegan descendants today are affiliated with federally or state-recognized tribal organizations, this article focuses on the Mohegan people as an ethnic and cultural group, distinct from any singular political or legal entity.
The Mohegan language, traditional lifeways, and ceremonies continue to be honored and practiced by community members who view cultural preservation as a living, generational responsibility.