The Ramapough traditionally obtained their food from the area's forests, fields and rivers.
- Hunting and Gathering: The Ramapoughs were skilled hunters and would primarily hunt deer, bear, rabbit, racoon, and squirrel. They also gathered berries, nuts, fruits and vegetables from the forest.
- Fishing: The Ramapough also fished for trout, bass, pickerel, and perch from the local rivers.
- Gardening: They planted crops such as corn, beans, squash, and potatoes in gardens by the river.
Housing
- The Ramapoughs were originally nomadic people, but began settling down in the 19th century.
- They lived in wigwams or longhouses, made of wood and bark.
- Wigwams were round structures, typically 15-20 feet in diameter, and covered with bark or animal hides.
- Longhouses were rectangular, often 40-100 feet long, with log frames covered in bark or thatch.
Social Life and Traditions
- Families and Clans: The Ramapough people were organized into clans or extended families. Each clan was led by a female chief or elderwoman, who was responsible for maintaining the social and economic welfare of the group.
- Language: They had their own language called the Ramapough language, which is a mixture of Munsee and Unami Delaware and English
- Spirituality: The Ramapough people had a strong spiritual connection with the natural world. They believed in a creator god and in a number of spirits that inhabited the land, air, and water.
- Pow-wows: They held pow-wows, ceremonies that often included dancing, singing and drumming, to celebrate important events such as births, marriages, and deaths.