How did the Iroquois confederacy begin?

The Iroquois Confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee, began in the 16th century as a response to intertribal conflict among the five original nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. According to tradition, the formation was catalyzed by the efforts of a prophet named Dekanawida and his ally Hiawatha, who sought to unite the tribes for mutual protection and peace. They established a system of governance based on consensus and collective decision-making, which laid the foundation for the Confederacy's enduring influence. This alliance not only fostered stability among the tribes but also allowed them to effectively counter external threats.