View
526
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
GAI’WIIO (THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE)
THE PEACEMAKER, THE GREAT LAWS AND THE CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
THE ONHENTON KARIWAHTEKWEN (THE THANKSGIVING ADDRESS)
GAI’WIIO’ THE CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE
http://www3.rmsc.org/museum/exhibits/online/lhm/Images/113.jpg
GAI’WIIO’ – HANDSOME LAKE
Recited on various Haudenosaunne reservations in Ontario & New York Ontario – Grand River & Muncytown New York – Onondaga, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus
& Allegany Recited at all annual midwinter
thanksgiving in the moon Nîsko’wûkni (between January 15th & February 15th)
Recited at the Six Nations meeting in September
Six “holder’s” of the Gai’wiio’
“New Religion” of the Six Nations
RECITING THE GAI’WIIO’
• Takes 3 days
Before sunrise each morning, the preacher stands at the fireplace in the longhouse and sings the Sun Song
an assistant or an officer of the rites sits beside the preacher and holds a white wampum strand
First morning a speech is delivered on how the meeting came to be established as an annual affair
http://www.andytheflyguy.ca/pages/images/sunrise/sunrise001.jpg
RECITING THE GAI’WIIO’ The next few mornings are devoted to
hearing “The Good Message”, the Code of Handsome Lake
Everyday at noon the expositor stops because the sun is in midheaven and is ready to descend
The concluding afternoon thanks are given to the Longhouse for fulfilling its obligation
http://www.nygeo.org/Longhouse.jpg
MESSAGE OF THE FOUR BEINGS
Sent to Handsome Lake by the Creator
Message that the Creator has given four Rituals that are to be performed: Feather Dance - Thanksgiving Dance Personal Chant - Bowl Game
With teachings for the Haudenausonee people
These instructions are the basis of the “New Religion”
FIRST 4 TEACHINGS
Stop Drinking
Withes should confess and cease their practices
Stop the use of Charms
Women should stop aborting
TEACHINGS
Children should be treated kindly & listened to
Old people unable to work should be helped by their grandchildren
Visitors & children playing near the house should be invited to eat when those in the house are eating
People should not gossip or spread evil
People should help each other and not steal
TEACHINGS FOR HUSBANDS & WIVES Should not desert each other Love each other & their children Should not commit adultery Childless couples should adopt children of
the wife’s sister
http://ushistoryimages.com/images/native-american-graphics/fullsize/native-american-graphics-3.jpg
CODE OF HANDSOME LAKE
Combines traditional Haudenosaunne religion with white Christian values
Stressed survival without sacrifice of Haudenosaunne identity
Recognized the realistic need to make adjustment to survive their changing world
If the Code was not followed a fire would destroy the world by 2100
Has Played a significant role in the preservation of the Haudenosaunne Nations
THE PEACEMAKER, HIS MESSAGE OF PEACE, & THE GREAT LAWS
Resources:
Haudenosaunee Development Institute. Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Retrieved from http://http://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.ca/contactus.html
Mitchell, M. K., & Buck R. (1984). Traditional teachings. B. K. Barnes (Ed.). Cornwall Island, Ontario: North American Indian Travelling College.
Parker, A. C. (1916). The Constitution of the Five Nations or The Iroquois Book of The Great Law. Albany, NY: Univeristy of the State of New York.
Porter, T. (2008). And Grandma said … Iroquois teachings as passed down through the oral tradition. U.S.A.: Xlibris Corporation.
Wallace, P. (1994). The Iroquois book of life: White roots of peace. Santa Fe, Mexico: Clear Light Publishers.
THE PEACEMAKER AND HIS JOURNEY
Legends vary in specific details, but all have the same general messages
THE SETTING
At the time the Peacemaker was born, life was said to be very dark
All Nations were fighting with one another and war was constant, even among Indigenous Nations
Some men began to develop dark minds and enjoyed the violence and suffering
People had forgotten their faith, culture, and ceremonies
THE PEACEMAKER: DEGANAWIDAH Born in the Huron
Nation to a virgin mother
(Grand)mother tried to kill him, but he could not be killed
When he became a man he built a canoe out of white marble and started to ‘sail towards the sunrise’ to spread his message of Peace
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY
Crossed the lake and met Mohawk Hunters; sent message back to Chief
Continued to the lodge of an (evil) woman As the first person to
accept his message, he names her “Jigonahsasee”, and proclaims women will pass down chiefship and name their chiefs
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY
Continues to the house of Tekarihoken, the cannibal Leads him to change his mind and actions Appoints him the first ‘Sachem’ (Chief) of
the Mohawks
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY
Returns to the Mohawk people Passes their ‘test’
and the Mohawk nation becomes the first to accept his message of peace
They are thus the founders of the League of Nations
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY
Two other key players: Hiawatha & Atotarhoh of the Onondaga
Nation Legends vary in the story of
Hiawatha
HIAWATHA/AYONWATHA
Worked with village people to overcome evil Atotarhoh
Dreamer had vision of Hiawatha & Peacemaker together transforming Atotarhoh Hiawatha = He who combs
Daughters (& wife) die one by one Overcome with grief,
leaves the Onondaga people
Some say Tekarihoken was Hiawatha, driven mad by grief
WAMPUMS AND WORDS OF CONDOLENCE
Will be further covered by Katie in a minute … Basically, Peacemaker helped Hiawatha
overcome his grief and return his healthy mind Used Hiawatha’s idea of wampum strings to
‘transcribe’ the Great Laws of Peace with him
THE PEACEMAKER’S JOURNEY CONTINUED Together the Peacemaker and
Hiawatha travelled to the other 3 nations and convinced them to join the League and accept the words of peace
Finally, journeyed back to Atotarho
ATOTARHO / TADODAHO
So evil he had 7 crooks in his body and snakes in his hair
Used powerful Dark Magic Strength of 5 Nations &
the Song of Peace were stronger than him
The Peacemaker healed his body & mind, and named him the head Chief of the 5 Nations
THE 5-NATIONS CLAN SYSTEM
Each of the 5 Nations named Chiefs
Peacemaker divided each Nation into Clans - represented by animals that came to powerful female elders
Clans are like families across Nations
THE TREE OF PEACE
Peacemaker planted a tree of peace to symbolize the union of the Nations
A Great White Pine 4 roots extending in
all directions Eagle to keep watch
for anyone threatening the Nations
Buried all weapons in a stream under tree
THE GREAT LAWS
Transcribed through 113 wampum strings
Based on 3 main ideas: Righteousness, justice Health of mind & body; peace Power, authority; based on law, customs, &
religion
THE GREAT LAWS
Other important points: keep in mind future generations act in the best interest of the
whole share resources and trades have thick skin don’t hold grudges
OTHER IMPORTANT SYMBOLS FROM THE PEACEMAKER
Bound Arrows: stronger than each individual arrow
Longhouse: where Chiefs hold council meetings; symbolizes one big family
Antlers: worn by chiefs Wampums: signal
truth, carry messages
HIAWATHA’S GRIEF AND WANDERING
-Grief at loss of daughters-Wanders woodlands
image source: fanpop.com/spots/elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/images/28220143/title/mountain-forest-path-screencap
-Comes to place with jointed rushes-Makes three strings-Words of condolence
image source: cs.man.ac.uk/~david/orkney/flora.html
Jointed Rush (juncus articulatus)
HIAWATHA’S GRIEF AND WANDERING
- Lake filled with ducks- Shells on the lake bed- Used shells in strings with words of condolence
image source: imagekind.com/Quahog-Shell-in-Sand-art?IMID=9e3db7ef-4eef-4b2a-a1aa-e3fa4fb97ee9
HIAWATHA’S GRIEF AND WANDERING
-Invited to Oneida Council-Nobody speaks to him, leaves in grief
Image source: ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/EoL/chp6.html
HIAWATHA’S GRIEF AND WANDERING
-Eventually reaches the Peacemaker-Peacemaker performs first Condolence Ceremony-Hiawatha’s grief is lifted
HIAWATHA’S GRIEF AND WANDERING
CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
- Primarily performed on two occasions (although other uses have been documented historically)-For anyone mourning a death, a small condolence performed-For the death of leaders/chiefs and to raise a successor, a large condolence is performed.-Historically, also for atonement purposes and at openings of diplomatic meetings.
CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
•Series of rituals performed for (approximately) 6-8 hours over a 2 day period
•Occurs partly in the long house and partly outside
•Purpose of the ceremony is to soothe the mind and relieve/reduce pain and confusion that can come with mourning
•We have accounts of the Condolence ceremony from Morgan, who stated that “it was not uncommon to spend several days in these festivities; devoting the days in succession to athletic games, and the evenings to the feast, and to the social dance” (Morgan, 122).
CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
Some of the metaphors expressed for healing functions during the ceremony (as recorded by William Beauchamp) were:
“The forest paths were symbolically cleared, thorns taken out of the feet, tears were wiped away, the throat and ears were cleansed that all might speak and hear, the heart was restored to its right place, and clouds were removed from the sun in the sky. Blood was washed from the seat, [and] if anyone had died, graves were leveled or covered, the bones of the slain were gathered and hidden under the roots of some great tree. (Beauchamp, 393)
Image source: rgbstock.com/cache1olBFB/users/t/ta/tacluda/300/msIvzTo.jpg
CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
-First component: “Journeying on the Trail” (or “Eulogy of the Roll Call of the Chiefs”)-Second Component: “Welcome at the Wood’s Edge”-Third component: “The Requickening Address”
-Part of the Requickening address which was cited is as follows:
“Now then, we say, we wipe awayThe falling tears, so that peacefullyYou might look around.” (Dennis, 102)
CONDOLENCE CEREMONY
Image source: fanpop.com/spots/eyes/images/16143904/title/tears-photo
THANKSGIVING ADDRESS
The Thanksgiving Address is formally known as Ohenton Karihawatehkwen which in Mohawk means " the words before all else"
These words come from the Haudenosaunee or Longhouse people which includes Mohawk, Oneida, Onodaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora
These words date back to at least several thousand years to the formation of the Great Law of Peace by a man called the Peacemaker
THANKSGIVING ADDRESS
The traditional Native American words of Thanksgiving come from the people of the Six Nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora, also known as the Iroquois or Haudenosaunee, who live in upstate New York, Wisconsin and Canada.
When performing the ceremony a speaker is chosen to give thanks on behalf of the people.
Each speaker chooses his own words, for we are all unique and have our own style of prayer, but the general form is traditional
THANKSGIVING ADDRESS
The Great address is based on the belief that the world cannot be taken for granted, that a spiritual communication of thankfulness and acknowledgment of all living things must be given to align the minds and hearts of the people with the natural world that has been created by a loving Creator.
This forms the guiding principle of our culture, as aboriginals.
They believe that all people at one time in their history, has similar words to acknowledge the words of the Creator: Sonkwiatison . Which means " he who created all things".
THANKSGIVING ADDRESS
The Thanksgiving Address teaches mutual respect, conservation, love, generosity, and the responsibility to understand that what is done to one part of the Web of Life, we do to ourselves.
The Great Law of Peace and the Thanksgiving Address are based on natural law, and they are the backbone of the Haudenosaunee traditional law and ecological knowledge.
The Great Law of Peace and the Thanksgiving Address are composed of policies, principles, moral duties, laws, ceremonies, and other religious and political aspects that the Haudenosaunee were given on how to live in harmony with each other and with the Natural World
OPENING A CEREMONY
We are gathered here in this assembly and we thank the Creator that we, who have gathered here are all well and that we have arrived here safely. And now we would ask that we allow our minds to come together to focus on the reasons for us gathering here…The Creator has planned it this way that every time we meet, whether day or night, no matter how many or how few we are, we give thanks to him for what he has given us.
THE WORDS THAT COME BEFORE ALL ELSE
Ohen:ton Karihwatehkw
en
THE PEOPLE
BALANCE AND RESPECT
Reminder of the place we as human beings were meant to occupy in relation to the other
elements of creation
HUMILITY, HONOUR, RESPECT
FOR THE EARTH MOTHER
PROTECTING THE EARTH FOR SEVEN GENERATIONS
THE WATERS
RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE WATERS
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
THE FISH
OVERFISHING
FISH STOCKING: THE ANSWER?
THE SMALL PLANTS AND GRASSES
WHAT THE PLANTS KNOW
CHALLENGES FOR THE SMALL PLANTS
BERRY PLANTS
BERRIES: A GIFT TO CHILDREN AND WOMEN
THE THREE SISTERS
THREE SISTERS AS MEDICINE
THE MEDICINE PLANTS
GATHERERS INFLUENCE MEDICINES
THE ANIMALS
ANIMALS AS TEACHERS
THE TREES
JAKE SWAMP
THE BIRDS
THE CLAN SYSTEM
THE FOUR WINDS
THE THUNDERERS
THE THUNDER CEREMONY
GRAND MOTHER MOON
BIRTH
THE SUN
BROTHER OF MOTHER EARTH
THE STARS
PATH TO THE CREATOR
THE FOUR BEINGS/ENLIGHTENED TEACHERS
HOW THE CREATOR WISHES US TO LIVE To listen to all when good advice is
given To be kind to old people To feed the poor and to share To not boast and give thanks To help each other
THE PROPHECIES
Objects will move about the earth without anything pulling them
There will be diseases appearing that were not known before and many will die
Children will go outside and not return The creator will remove our life sustainers because
we fail to give thanks Crops will be destroyed Trees will die Rivers and streams will become polluted Nature… will stop.
THE CREATOR
And now our minds, hearts and spirits have been united for the purpose at hand. We realize that we have been called to take care of this creation, to be the caretakers. We would ask for the strength, honesty, wisdom, and sincerity to accomplish the task that we have been create for. With that we now declare this gathering open, May we continue to dwell in peace with each other, with this land, and with the creator, Da nay no
Recommended