What ceremony celebrated the gift of the corn harvest?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
August 27, 2001
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading: Click here.
The Green Corn Ceremony is a ritual festival held when flour corn is in the roasting-ear stage. This celebration of life is held by many of the Native American tribes; it is a time of atonement, forgiveness, and a way of thanking the "Master of Life", animals, and plants for their generosity to mankind. It is respect for the gift of life.
The Creek required that anything short of murder must be forgiven. Cooking fires were put out, old clothing thrown away, and homes were put in order. The people fasted to purify themselves. Warriors took new names. Women performed the Ribbon Dance, named for the multitude of colorful ribbons worn. All fires were renewed from a sacred "green corn" fire kindled by a holy man.
Not a bad ceremony for the sake of a green plant.
To learn more about Creek culture, click on the link:
http://www.creekindian.com/
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Did the Native Americans grow corn that was free of earworms? Renfield's Garden - August 29, 2001
Why don't you ever see wild corn? Weird Plants - August 30, 2001
Why do we call maize, corn? What's in a Name? - August 31, 2001
What plant helped build North American civilizations? Plants that Changed History - Aug 28, 2001
What is pellagra? Plants that Changed History - February 24, 2004
|
BACK TO TOP
