MAHWAH – The Ramapough Lenape Indian tribe call the patch of land along the Rampo River “Split Rock Sweet Water,” a prayer ground where religious ceremonies are held for the roughly 3,700 registered tribe members who live in Mahwah, Ringwood and Hillburn.
The tree stumps make up a Weewiikaan, or prayer circle, where the tribe holds religious ceremonies.
As with the township’s other legal entanglement over religion – namely the Orthodox Jewish community’s use of its parks and construction of an eruv on utility poles – the Ramapough’s troubles are being stoked by a vocal minority, their attorney said.
The prayer ground was deeded to the tribe in July 1995 by the developer of the surrounding 5,000-square-foot homes, making the tribe the largest land owner within the development.