She was an Indian, like many others but her history became out of the ordinary. Matoaka, the daughter of mamanatowick Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomoco, today is known all over the world, although we prefer to use her childhood nickname - Pocahontas.
I found out who she was thanks to the Disney movie from 1995. In my personal opinion this is the best Disney production ever. Moving, with a though-provoking ending and beautiful soundtrack including such pieces like for example famous "Farewell"...
As a child I was climbing trees and hiding in bushes pretending to be Pocahontas. In her native languge Pocahontas meant 'playful one' and today I think this expression suited my childish character too. I was enchanted by her mysterious life in woods, so different from my own. When I grew up I started to think about her not only as an inspiring "Disney heroine". The more I have found out about her, the more I have looked up to her. She was saving people's lives, starting with a pale stranger, called captain John Smith. She had a great impact on the negotiations between the English and her tribe. Thanks to her Powhatan prisoners were released. She also managed to persuade her father to sent food to the starving settlers. She was such a courageous and strong woman. She went through many difficult experiences like being captured and held for ransom. For me, it's incredible how open-minded she was. Although she was thrown to the unknown she learned the English language, religion and customs.
We know quite a lot of facts about Pocahontas' life, but still there are many gaps in her history. Famous "love story" has inspired many writers and directors up to nowadays, but we can only assume whether she was truly in love with the English man. We often mention the name of John Smith, but probably it was John Rolfe who played the role of Romeo in Pocahontas' life. It is true that her father and ex-husband Kocoum were against the marriage with Rolfe, so they were struggling to get married. Still, we don't know nothing about her feelings. From settler's writings we know that John Rolfe did love Pocahontas, but what about her? There is a slight possibility that she chose to marry him and convert to Christianity to guarantee the peace..
These doubts make me feel even more respectful towards Pocahontas. We will never find out whether it is true, but it's quite likely that Pocahontas became a sign of peace by sacrificing her own happiness..
As for inspired movies.. Here's my favorite feature film interpretation of the legend, The New World: :)
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