Corn,
beans and
squash are called the
Three Sisters by many
Native American tribes, most notably the Haudenosaunee (
Iroquois Confederacy). These
crops are grown together and mutually benefit from the
association; the corn supports the climbing bean and the bean "fixes"
nitrogen in the soil for the heavily feeding corn. The squash fills the spaces between the hills of corn, shading the soil and helping to retain moisture.
In addition to being
staples in the
Iroquois diet the
Three Sisters are the
foundation of many stories and
traditions. They are said to want to be together, just as Indians want to be together. They are celebrated as a gift from the Creator and are a part of the creation stories. Ceremonial festivals such as the Seed Blessing or Planting Dance and the Green Bean Dance and the Green Corn Dance are centered around the
Three Sisters.