Question

Read the summary. [When a new lord joins the council, he must offer a pledge of four strings of shells. The speaker of the council will then welcome the new lord. The lords on the other side of the council fire will receive the pledge. Then they will speak these words to the new lord.] According to the Iroquois Constitution, what must a candidate for lord offer as a sign of his commitment when he presents himself before the council?
1) a string of shells
2) a spreading branch
3) an eagle feather
4) a long leaf

Answer 1

1. a string of shells.

Answer 2

The correct answer is 1. A string of shells

Explanation:

The Iroquois constitution from which the excerpt presented was taken was a document that established the principles for government and laws of the Iroquois community. In this excerpt, details related to the role of "lord" are explained, the first detail states that is it necessary for new lord or candidates for lord to "offer a pledge of four strings of shells", this means before the lord officially joints the council he should give other members four string of shells to show his "pledge" or promise to be committed with the council and the community. Therefore, according to the Iroquois Constitution, a candidate should offer "a string of shell" before joining to the council.