What is the Wolf Clan in the Lenape Tribe?

The wolf clan within the Lenape tribe is known as the Munsee.

The Lenape people, also historically referred to as the Delaware Indians, are an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands. Their societal structure traditionally included a system of kinship groups or clans, each represented by a distinct animal. These clans were not merely symbolic; they played a significant role in identity, marriage patterns, and social organization within the tribe.

The Three Principal Lenape Clans

The Lenape nation comprised three main groups or divisions, each associated with a specific animal clan. These groups coexisted and lived together in various communities or bands, forming a cohesive tribal structure. This inter-clan cooperation was a hallmark of Lenape social life.

The three primary Lenape clans are:

• Munsee: Identified with the Wolf clan. The Munsee primarily inhabited the northern regions of traditional Lenape territory, including parts of present-day New York, northern New Jersey, and northeastern Pennsylvania.
• Unami: Identified with the Turtle clan. The Unami occupied the central Lenape territories, covering areas of central and southern New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania, and northern Delaware.
• Unalachtigo: Identified with the Turkey clan. The Unalachtigo were situated in the southern Lenape lands, extending into parts of Delaware and Maryland.

To illustrate these divisions clearly, here is a summary of the Lenape clans:

These distinct clan affiliations provided a foundational framework for Lenape identity and community, allowing for strong bonds within their respective groups while fostering a unified and cooperative tribal structure.