Traditions,
Wise Words,
Teachings and Interesting Facts
The
Meaning of the Shawl
From Nancy
Kohn Raven
I thought you would like to hear the meaning of the shawl, what
it means in every way. So many of us are making them, this really
made sense to me and I wanted to share it with you, -----------------------
I love you all Raven
The shawl
is square representing the 4 cardinal directions thus creating
sacred Space.
Each Fringe is 28 inches long representing the 28 ribs of the
buffalo. The Buffalo symbolizes life to the people providing
food, clothing shelter, tools.
When folded in half each fringe is then 14 inches long representing
the 7 Generations that came before and the 7 Generations to
come. We each inherit the broken-ness from our ancestors from
the past 7 generations our job is to heal this broken-ness so
that we don't pass it along to the next 7 generations. We also
inherit the prayer and hopes of our ancestors from the past
7 generations, we hold the Sacred Responsibility to pass on
these hopes and prayers to our children, grand-children and
the following 5 generations
Each poke into the fabric to attach the fringe is a prayer,
just like the prayer ties we make for gathering, each time the
fringe is poked through the fabric of the shawl a prayer is
put into it.
There are 2 fringes for each poke, representing the duality,
the feminine and the masculine, good and bad, right and wrong.
The finished shawl represents the life of a woman.
May you wear it and remember how sacred you are. May the shawl
provide you protection and fill you with the knowledge of your
Sacred Feminine. May you be blessed and filled with the love
I carry for you as you walk your beauty path, the path of our
Grandmothers.
A question
was asked about which material should be used.. Raven gave this
answer on one of her posts...
Gaberdine is good if you are using a lot during the day, like
at Sundance, as it doesn't wrinkle, but lots of the Elder women
just carry one over arm so other material works just as well.
I usually
always have a shawl going so when I set down I pick it up and
start tying fringe, and I take it with me whenever I go to a
Native womens gatherings, most always you will see Native women
always with some busy work, beading, quilting ect. Usually if
you offer small gift out of respect they will share with you
maybe a special knot or tying method.One thing I learned was
that for instance if you were to want to learn to quilt, like
I do it is not ok to just decide for yourself to learn to do
it on your own or to get a book and just start, But you have
to earn the right to be taught in the old way,that may mean
helping the elder with things she may no longer do for herself
or many what ever she wants you to do , she may tell you no
more than three or four times, She may always tell you no. She
may say we will see, But learning to quilt in the old way is
hers to teach, not for us young
ones to just decide to do on our own, this is what is meant
by stealing the culture, whether it is beading, quilting or
maybe basket weaving. It is a honor to learn these things in
the old way and to earn the right to do so. I am still waiting
to be taught to quilt, I have been told we will see, thats been
a few years back now, but this year she called me daughter and
allowed me to tye her Eagle feathers onto her arms.So there
may still be some hope for me yet. - Raven
SURVIVAL
life's mysteries abound
with unexpected challenge
scrambling over one hurdle
to discover another
on the path
surprise, the only certainty
as the continuum of experience
moves endlessly onward
unknown parallel lives unfold
to be discovered when the Spirit moves
what plan is hidden
in the Mystery
Security, the illusion and stagnation
the Death Stalker of us all
delight in the challenge of experience
for the impeccable Warrior knows
this is the only
road to Freedom
by Nancy
Raven Kohn
|
As a dancer my first shawl was red . As I sewed fringe
I put a different prayer in each. I was told that the
color represented honoring the blood of the people and
the giving of ones self . As the years passed I was
gifted a few with different colors and I wore the shawls
around my waist....
As
the years passed health problems hinder me from dancing.
I had 8 grandchildren when I could no longer dance and
so I stepped into a new position of life.. A grandmother.
I now wear my shawl around my shoulders to keep me warm
and to place (my) young babies in my arms and wrap them
with my warmth and love. When I have been sad and in
mourning I can wrap my shoulders and hide my head and
be alone.
There are many teachings of the shawl and I honor them
all up.... Let our grandmothers touch on this matter
and add more........
My love to you all.
Bright Sun
|
From Allen
Sheppard
I love you all and all of you continue to give strength in a
good way. Ignore the negative, Uphold the positive continue
to refuse to even coment on negativity, we are for healing forgiveness
and unity of the six colors, four directions and colors of man
,green the earth, and blue ,that which is above all. Every human
of every society and faith holds a piece of the puzzle and one
day we will all need to come together to see the true and good
picture. -MITAKUYE OWASIN- kodapi .~mn renegade
Sweet Grass
From Richard
Wagamese - Ojibway.
Three strands in a braid of sweet grass. They represent three
spiritual qualities - love, kindness, humility, say. When I
smudge myself with it, I purify myself in those qualities. I
prepare myself for my day with the strength of those spiritual
qualities. It clings to my hair, my clothes and in the air of
my home. In that way, as I move through my day and I smell that
fragrance I am reminded of how I have chosen to live that day
- and in that, is the power of greeting my days with reverence,
calm and prayer. In that is how I learn to direct my humanity
toward peace, equality and harmony one day, one person, one
circumstance at a time. Peace friends, travel well through this
day..
Maaaa or Shawl
by Long Standing
Bear Chief - Blackfoot
The Blackfoot or Piikani word more correctly for what you ladies
call the shawl is maaaa (pronounced with long a sounds)
I have asked around and no one says it has an English equivalent
in meaning, that is it is just a word that refers to what is
called a shawl or does it mean anything such as blanket.
The origin of the English word shawl is Sanskrit
in origin and it is spelled shal. It turns out many
cultures have been making what is called a shawl for many, many
centuries. The shawl is made from all sorts of material, anywhere
from wool to silk to cedar bark.
In ancient Piikani culture the maaaa was made from the
hide of many animals. The skin of the bison, elk, deer, moose
and other such animals was used. Often for winter use the maaaa
was made with the hair still on it, and, was worn with the hair
side in for added warmth.
In other instances the maaaa was a brain tanned hide that
was so soft it would feel like a blanked made of cotton to us
living in these modern times. In those days the maaaa
was smoked so that it never shrank or turned into raw hide if
it had not been. It is surprising but a smoked skin today can
be washed in a machine and will still keep its form and softness.
When I was a young child the women still used to use the maaaa
as a small blanket which had many uses, one being to pack infants
in a bundle on their back. Infants packed in this manner very
early were socialized to all the people the mother met in the
course of the day. The baby also had the added advantage of
being warmed by its mother's body and heard all the language
the mother used as it learned to talk.
Today, the maaaa is used in the Shawl Dance which is not
an original Blackfoot dance but was acquired from other nations
women who performed such a dance. Today this Shawl Dance is
treated as if it were a traditional dance by all indigenous
women.
In times gone by the maaaa was used by men and women because
it was used as a blanket for warmth. Back then the maaaa
was painted with original designs of the Indigenous persons
choosing.
The maaaa today has ceremonial uses as it did in times
passed. This is especially true in the instance of men who stood
on the maaaa during a piercing ceremony while involved
in the Okan. The Lakota call this ceremony a Sun Dance.
Teachings from Our Ancestors
Believe in the beauty and strength of your own being.
Live a life of truth and honesty. This makes you a person of
quality and dignity. Truth and honesty are the kind of leadership
qualities that attracts others.
Give honor and respect to others regardless of age or situation
in life. This quality makes you and others worthy of honor and
respect, which makes others, feel worthwhile and fulfilled.
Honor and respect empowers others so they can win the day. They
will return it to you fourfold.
Honor the earth and all that exists. Be strong in this belief
and practice it throughout your life because it makes for a
world of kindness that binds all the good things of life together
in a circle of harmony.
Be humble but not timid. To be humble is to connect yourself
to the stars and the entire universe and makes you aware there
is something unique about life that is to be enjoyed without
fear. We are a people from the stars and because of it we sacred.
Help others realize that life is a dream . . . . a beautiful
dream. Dreamers are the butterflies of life that help others
realize their dreams.
Be humorous and help others enjoy life and the life of others.
Humor makes the leader attractive. The humorous person has many
guests and the one who is invited everywhere because of the
joy they bring to the gathering.
Never be afraid to talk matters over with those who disagree
with you or with those you love. The gift of language is a miracle
and it is meant to be used to live a life of harmony, joy, love
and respect. Use it well and use it often.
What is described here is leadership in the broadest sense.
These are the qualities that make for a great father, great
grandmother, lover, teacher, traditional leader, friend, and
a great human being. Best of all you can add to this list.
In honor and respect: Long Standing Bear Chief
Givaways
Submitted
by Nancy Kohn Raven
so that people unfamiliar with the ways will have a small understanding.
A long time
ago Give Aways were held as a sacred event. Today, Tribal celebrations
and public events often feature a Give Away.
The person
who does the Give Away may do this with the help of his family
and relatives. It is held sometimes in the name of a deceased
relative or to honor a person who is going through a Sundance
Ceremony as a participant, or for someone joining or leaving
the Military. Sometimes a Give Away is held when a prayer or
vow has been granted. For example somebody might have made a
vow two years before and that vow has been fulfilled by that
person and family. Therefore they honor that event and that
person with a Give Away.
Sometimes
an individual may spend two years or more collecting and making
the gifts: Horses, blankets, money, shawls, automobiles and
whatever else the person and his family deem appropriate to
be given away. Giveaways can also include a gift of time, talents
or skills.
The Give Away
is often a public event. An announcer will say ''We have a gift
here and we want to give it to a visitor from Alberta Canada"
for example
Anyone from Alberta Canada may step forward to recieve the gift.
It dooes not have to be given to a specific identifiable person.
It may be
announced after everything planned has been given away."All
you people who are here, the rest of these gifts are for visitors
only who are not members of this tribe" if you are there
and whether or not you know that person who is giving away,
you can take the gift.
There are
no reciepts given and no attempt is made to put a monetary value
on a item given away. I would also like to say that Natives
do not take this as a tax deduction on their Tax form either.
It is a Sacred event.
We do this
because we have respect for ourselves and out of recognition
that a prayer has been granted, that a vow has been made and
honored, or someone has recovered health. There are various
sacred and spiritual reasons why Give Aways are conducted the
way they are, and why we will continue as long as there are
Natives.
If you see
this sort of ceremonial thing happening, you will truly know
you are among indian people who give a great deal of attention
to their customs, traditions and beliefs. You will find the
poorest of individuals and families carrying on this traditions.
Additionally Natives give things not only to other Natives and
to members of their tribe, but also to non-Natives. If they
know someone is present from a different country, say from Germany,
Japan or wherever, then during the course of the Give Away it
might happen that they will announce for one of those visitors
to step forward, that there is a gift for them.
There were
times in the past when the Federal Goverment tried to stop the
Give Away. They saw this happening where the Indian was giving
away everything. It was a abhorrent practice to the non-Native
whose cultures teach saving, and hoarding of material possessions.
To our way
of thinking as Indian people, Give Away signifies our respect
for other people.. What good we do for other people will come
back to us in many ways.We have stories that verify this. Giving
is a mark of a person truly involved in his culture. They are
the generous ones. When people die their relatives will sometimes
give away their belongings. Giving away a Ceremonial Pipe is
an important way of passing on our culture to the generations
who come after us. The Ceremonies of the Pipe carries with it
our basic teachings and is the best way to come to know and
understand our peoples cultures.
Passing on
valuable things in culture is something of an honor. It is a
way of saying; 'My Relative believed in this Ceremony. In giving
you this Pipe we hope thatthese Traditions or this Ceremony
that my relative participated in, will be continued through
you.' It is a way to keep traditions and beliefs alive.
One value
trait that the indian people appreciate in themselves and in
others is generosity. The greedy man causes trouble. Long ago
in the beginning all things in Creation were able to talk with
one another. We can no longer communicate with the plants and
animals because man became greedy and as a punishment we cannot
communicate or understand one another. Once we learn to love
one another and respect one another and all that exists, we
will regain the power to understand one another. Then there
will be true harmony. We Indians are working to overcome the
bad side of our nature. We ask that people recognize this
Generosity is a cultural trait of high value. In fact anyone
who is looking to become a leader, the people will always ask,
'Is this a generous man or woman?' If they are they will be
recognized for the leadership role they seek or the one to be
given to them
signed by
Long Standing Bear Chief. (Blackfoot elder)