Cherokee

            Our adventure to Cherokee was different than what I had expected. In my mind, I had imagined more residencies and less urbanization, along with a strong traditional vibe that filled the air everywhere you went. Instead, as we pulled into Cherokee, we drove along a strip of commercialized shops that appealed to the tourist mentality of a need for souvenirs and a false display of what it means to be a Native American. There were men dressed in extravagant head dresses and clothing that would be typical in an old western film, ready to dance if you paid them. This was not my ideal visual of first impressions as I arrived.

            Once we arrived to the museum and began walking around and reading all about the Cherokee lifestyle, history and struggle that their people endured, I began to gain a new sense of respect and understanding. The museum revealed a great amount of information, in fact too much to take in with just one visit, but I believe that they couldn’t have portrayed their story in a better way. Their use of visuals and artifacts was spectacular, especially the all too realistic characters on display that really captivated the Indian persona and physical attributes, making me feel as if I were actually back in time standing amidst a real native.

            After gaining such a large amount of knowledge about the Cherokee people’s past and struggle among the white man, I was able to look at the strip of tourist’s shops in a new light. Rather than having a sense of misunderstanding, I now understood that their use of commercial shops to appeal to the tourists is their way of fitting in and surviving in a white man’s world. It’s just another way in which they have adapted their lives in order to manage with their constant defeat and struggles they are constantly forced to face.

The Green Corn Ceremony

            On my previous blog I discussed in brief a few traditions found among the Cherokee. As I was researching, I came across another one of their customs called the Green Corn Ceremony, otherwise known as the busk (“to fast”). I was intrigued to gather more information regarding this annual traditional ceremony practiced by Indian tribes of the Southeast.

            Tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, Timucua, along with a few others perform this annual ceremony in celebration, along with appreciation of a successful corn crop. Corn was their single most important crop, therefore playing a significant role in their religious and ceremonial life. Corn harvesting typically fell upon the Big Ripening Moon (July-August), usually linked to the ripening of the second crop of corn, lasting a total of eight days in larger towns and only four in smaller ones.

            The renewal of life was seen as a sacred quest for spiritual purity and a time when people were to forgive debts, grudges, adultery, and all crimes (except for murder). It began when the first corn crop became edible, initiating the cleansing of the village by old fires being extinguished and worn pottery broken. In celebration, residents would fast, one form of attaining purity, and a significant component of the ritual. The Feather Dance is performed around the fire at the opening ceremonies in recognition of all Creation, along with an Old Woman’s Dance performed by the women to renew the relationship among women and plant life.

Traditions Among the Cherokee

            When one thinks of traditions, family and ritualistic activities come to mind. The definition of a tradition is a custom or belief that is passed on throughout generations over an extended period of time. A multitude of traditions and customs can be found among cultures around the world from beliefs to family routines. Because we will be visiting Cherokee this Friday, I figured it would be appropriate to take a closer look at some of the traditions found among the Cherokee people.

            A prime example of traditional beliefs can be found among the Cherokee, whose objective is to preserve their heritage and culture, in addition to their spirituality through story telling and ceremonies. The Cherokee people for many centuries understood Ye ho waah to be the Chief Supreme Being who was both God and King, occasionally appearing on earth as man.

            Another common practice among the Cherokee people involves the placement of cultural and business matters, which are conducted around the Council Fire. The fire pit used is at the same hallowed place where countless fires have been built for similar affairs and is built by a designated person known as the Fire Keeper, who builds the fire slightly higher each time. Another essential element that must be fulfilled with every fire is the incorporation of a bundle of twigs holding a sprig each of Hickory, Maple, Locust, Beech, Sycamore, Ash, and Oak.

            Weddings are another ritualistic tradition that can be found in practically every society around the world, yet they can be greatly diverse from one culture to another. Just as many celebrate weddings with food and feasts, the Cherokee did the same, but with a different agenda. The role genders play with food, along with the vitality for survival is portrayed through wedding ceremonies via the exchange of food among individuals.

Letter to Edna Chekelelee

Dear Edna Chekelelee,

            As I read some of your stories I recognized you often use a humorous tone, and although I did not have the pleasure of hearing you orally tell these stories, I could easily sense your light-hearted personality. Your use of wit was especially meaningful in my eyes because I believe it reveals a deeper quality that is often found among Native Americans. Though you are telling stories of your ancestors suffering, you find a way of inserting clever commentary to ease the listener or reader, preventing them from sensing any uneasiness for what their ancestors may have inflicted upon your people. Do you choose to tell your stories in this fashion or is just what comes naturally?

            Your choice of stories is also admirable. You enlighten your audience by telling them stories of the importance of nature, while also incorporating personal stories such as “Feathers,” which I believe is my favorite that I read. Your canny response of them wanting a chicken instead of an American Indian made me laugh aloud. The introduction says you’ve been telling stories for an extended period of time, so I’m assuming you have plenty you’ve collected over the years. Do you have a favorite, if so which is it?

            Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your stories because they have allowed me to gain a new appreciation and understanding of oral storytelling. If you have any recorded stories that you’re personally telling I would love to hear them.

Sincerely,

Alex Sierra

Reservations

            I wanted to take a closer look at reservation life after seeing the living conditions reflected in The Business of Fancydancing and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. In both of these examples poverty and poor living conditions were prevalent throughout the reservation, something I had not known because I’ve been raised in metropolitan areas along the East Coast, not a common spot for reservations. Below is a map that shows locations of reservations throughout the states, illustrating the distribution of reservations and their widespread presence in the Midwest to west, along with the lack of reservations around highly urban areas.

            In the United States there are a total of 310 Indian reservations spread throughout, which are populated by America’s poorest 1%. Typically, poverty stricken areas are at a higher risk for alcoholism, corruption, and school dropout rates, and because these reservations are closed off from Americans, the Indians that inhabit the land are even more at jeopardy because they don’t commonly venture far from their homeland.

            In addition, this land that they occupy is not the best for producing sufficient crops to support themselves. The lack of quality among the land is due to European settlers designating specific land for them to live among, usually the worst and poorest of quality.

            The poverty found within Indian reservations is different than the hardship we find in our cities. Their isolation is the most harmful because it prevents them from having opportunities arise that would assist them in bettering their lives. In order for them to truly seek a better lifestyle, they would need to leave the reservation where they would be an alien among our society and struggle to not only find a mean of income, but be accepted among a different culture as well. 
           In The Business of Fancydancing, Seymour left the reservation and was faced with struggles from different directions, one that included being disowned by his tribe. Granted, Seymour was presented with the opportunity to attend a university, which assisted his transition, but this is not a common occurrence. His childhood friend, Aristotle, also attended a university off the reservation, but eventually retreated back to what he knew on the reservation because he could not handle the transition from a life on the reservation to a life among the white man. 

What I've Learned So Far

            My perception of what a Native American is has changed. Before this course I was a bit naïve and thought they lived freely and happily among our society or on a reservation. After watching several of these films and reading books such as Tonto and Lone Ranger Fistfight in Heaven, I have realized that they are not only fighting an ongoing battle with the Western world, but they are also fighting a battle among themselves—one that involves identity. For so many years their ancestors farmed and studied the land they inhabited, evolving into one form of identity. The intrusion of white settlers among their soil pushed them away forcing them to leave the one thing they identified the most with, and developing into a greater loss of self.

            Just as I mentioned in class on p. 123 of Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit, the Indian problem will not just simply go away. In fact, my expanding knowledge of Native Americans has grown drastically thanks to this course, including the realization that there is such a problem that still persists today. Who are we to put limits or borders on people? We are all equally as human and therefore deserve equal treatment and use of land. Until we recognize that our issues will continue to persist and problems among “races” will not seize.

            So far in this semester I have grown an appreciation for the strength and bond that native people have among one another. Regardless of all the issues they’ve endured, they have stuck together through it all and continue to recognize and show their pride in their ancestry and heritage. Their culture continues to be preserved through traditions, both oral and physical, ensuring future generations retain the knowledge and familiarity of their ancestors and where they came from.

Spirituality

                  Spirituality is a very difficult topic to discuss with others because of its close connection to religion, as well as the great personal impact it has on people individually. For some, spirituality may involve a particular religion, such as Christianity or Hinduism, but for others it could just involve a personal, or spiritual connection they feel within themselves. People’s background and point of origin can also greatly impact their view of religion.

                  As humans we don’t understand or can’t explain a lot of events or occurrences, therefore we have created religion. In one of my courses we just discussed the term “sui generis,” meaning something entirely of it’s own kind, in order to define what religion is. It’s something entirely set apart and different from anything else that human beings have encountered, and as thousands of years have passed, so has the development of religion.

                  Today, there are a wide variety of religions that one can follow or accept as true, which is unsurprising given the years of advancement among human beings. Some individuals regularly attend some ceremony or form of worship, while others make journeys in search of spirituality, such as Muslims making the trek to Mecca.

                  For myself, spirituality comes to me through the form of a journey that does not involve just one trip, such as going to Mecca, but rather my journey through life. This voyage I view as life is what’s going to strengthen my connection with others, along with the universe, through a series of events that will assist in my individual development. There’s a close connection with my spirituality and the list of values I chose for myself in my last blog. The significance of consciousness to me strongly correlates with how I wish to be spiritual because in order for me to be conscious, I must be aware of the here and now, making me responsive of the struggles, beauty, and people I encounter, assisting and strengthening my personal development. I consider myself to be a very open-minded individual because of this consciousness I choose to live.

                  In conclusion, I’m going to leave you with this link to a mediation song that I enjoy when I wish to feel a larger sense of spirituality and peace.