Earlier this week, members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) made their way past the rolling dunes of Lobsterville Beach to a wild cranberry bog, just as they have done on the second Tuesday of October for centuries.
The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School secured Island-wide approval for a $2 million feasibility study to renovate or replace the high school when Aquinnah approved its contribution during a special town meeting on Wednesday.
Members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) headed down to the bogs to celebrate Cranberry Day, a longstanding harvest tradition for the Vineyard’s Native American tribe. The day ended with a potluck dinner.
Every year on the second Tuesday in October, members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) gather cranberries and give thanks for the harvest.
For the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on Tuesday, Cranberry Day was more about culture and heritage than the pragmatic crop-gathering aspe
Cranberry Day Honors Ancient Wampanoag Tradition
Every year on Cranberry Day, members of the tribe head down to the main bog at the intersection of West Basin and Lobsterville roads to gather cranberries and give thanks for the harvest.
Every year on Cranberry Day, members of the tribe head down to the main bog at the intersection of West Basin and Lobsterville roads to gather cranberries and give thanks for the harvest.
Martha Vanderhoop and Chanel Martinez.
Martha Vanderhoop and Chanel Martinez.
James Hackenson enjoys the October sunshine with daughter Akinah.
James Hackenson enjoys the October sunshine with daughter Akinah.
Beverly Wright with a basket full of cranberries.
Beverly Wright with a basket full of cranberries.
Taylor Stasis, Zachary Smalley and Kayla Manning Darcy in the dunes.
Taylor Stasis, Zachary Smalley and Kayla Manning Darcy in the dunes.
Zachary Smalley.
Zachary Smalley.
Seaside cranberry bogs in Aquinnah are protected tribal lands.
Seaside cranberry bogs in Aquinnah are protected tribal lands.
Cotton grass grows in the Lobsterville dunes.
Cotton grass grows in the Lobsterville dunes.
The Colter family pitches in.
The Colter family pitches in.
Ocie Colter.
Ocie Colter.
The sense of community was strong, with people of all ages joining the celebration.
The sense of community was strong, with people of all ages joining the celebration.
Matahquhs Vanderhoop.
Matahquhs Vanderhoop.
Tysonnae Bolling.
Tysonnae Bolling.
Oceana Vanderhoop.
Oceana Vanderhoop.
Wenonah Madison and daughter Zuzu Sauer.
Wenonah Madison and daughter Zuzu Sauer.
Luca Enea, Elliot LaBonti, Stella Enea, Ferryn Hopkins and Violet LaBonti.
Luca Enea, Elliot LaBonti, Stella Enea, Ferryn Hopkins and Violet LaBonti.
Aquinnah cranberries are more tart than the ones you would find in a store, and also more colorful, with red, yellow and green berries.
Aquinnah cranberries are more tart than the ones you would find in a store, and also more colorful, with red, yellow and green berries.
That's a lot of cranberries.
That's a lot of cranberries.
Cranberry Day, traditionally celebrated on the second Tuesday of October, drew crowds to the Aquinnah bogs.