Iroquois society was based in the matrilineal clan where women lived with their classificatory sisters – applying the principle that “my sister’s child is my child”.
Because they lived and worked together, women in these communal households felt strong bonds of solidarity with one another, enabling them when necessary to take action against uncooperative males.
Engels cites this passage from a letter to Morgan written by a missionary who had lived for many years among the Seneca Iroquois:
As to their family system, when occupying the old long-houses, it is probable that some one clan predominated, the women taking in husbands, however, from the other clans; and sometimes, for a novelty, some of their sons bringing in their young wives until they felt brave enough to leave their mothers.
Usually, the female portion ruled the house, and were doubtless clannish enough about it.
The stores were held in common; but woe to the luckless husband or lover who was too shiftless to do his share of the providing.
No matter how many children, or whatever goods he might have in the house, he might at any time be ordered to pack up his blanket and budge; and after such orders it would not be healthful for him to attempt to disobey.
The house would be too hot for him; and, unless saved by the intercession of some aunt or grandmother, he must retreat to his own clan; or, as was often done, go and start a new matrimonial alliance in some other.
The women were the great power among the clans, as everywhere else.
They did not hesitate, when occasion required, to ‘knock off the horns’, as it was technically called, from the head of a chief, and send him back to the ranks of the warriors.
The original nomination of the chiefs also always rested with them.