The Lenape an Algonquian People A Lenape picture stone Lenape tools Walum Olum Village Life The Lenape usually lived on high ground near rivers and streams. A Lenape village could have up to 40 longhouses. The Lenape used the natural resources around them for food, shelter, and clothing. Some of their food came from farming. Beans, corn, squash, and pumpkins grew well in the rich soil near rivers. To open up land for crops, the Lenape cut down and burned trees. This “ slash and burn ” method of farming used up the soil quickly, so it forced the Lenape to move often in search of more land. Lenape families farmed the land, but they did not consider themselves to be the owners of the land. They believed the land belonged to nature. Before the arrival of the Dutch in Manhattan, the Lenape made clothing from materials found in their environment such as deerskins and animal furs. In summer women wore knee - length wrap - around skin skirts while men dressed in breechcloths around their waists. Girls and boys usually dressed the same. In winter both men and women wore leggings and long loose blouses or tunics and wrapped themselves in warm fur robes. Most of the year everyone wore moccasins made of deerskins. Lenape women and girls wore their hair long and pulled back. Men wore some of their hair long and some of it shaved off. Men and women were tattooed and would paint their faces on special occasions. Men and women also wore earrings and necklaces and decorated their clothing with beads and other ornaments.