I am in love with the Southwest! As you know, the landscape is really stunning, but I admire the native wisdom, and I am fascinated by Indian culture.
‘Western man’ has usually perceived Native Americans Ceremonies as beautiful, and everyone is very respectful of them. Behind these Indian ceremonies, there are many true values and a culture which reflects a wonderful philosophy which has been maintained and celebrated in exactly the same ways for hundreds of years. (See ‘Philosophy’ from Tom Bahti)
Each pueblo has its own Dances and Ceremonies. Although these occur at a regular calendar date, it is important to always inquire about the actual date and time.
Each ceremony celebrates and calls for something important within Indian beliefs, and most of them, if not all, are in connection with nature, earth, sky, animals, plants, rain, sun etc…(the turtle dance, celebrated at Ohkay Owingeh and Taos pueblos, calls for renewal, regeneration, and the continuing process of creation)
Hunting ceremonies not only honored the animals but also ensured their propagation The Buffalo and Deer dance of San Ildefonso Pueblo is particularly moving.
The ceremony begins the night before with firelights on the plaza of the Pueblo, to guide the animals to the village. At dawn, a group of Drums calls the animals from the hills surrounding the pueblo.
This is fascinating, listening to the rhythms of the drums and the songs. When several drums are playing together, it’s so powerful that the vibrations sink into your body and resonate within you, a sensation that could last long after the drums stop playing.
Then suddenly, you’ll see smoke coming up from behind the hill, and there they appear…first you see only the figure, and the very distinctive antlers, coming from the East with the sun rising. Then you begin to distinguish the entire body and movements. Very delicately, gently, deer are coming down the hill.
What fascinates me with these dances is that the dancer/”interpreter” is so much imbued with the animal spirit, that you don’t see the dancer, and you feel the energy of the animal; the deer and its gentleness and elegance, the buffalo and its power, the eagle flying- they are light and imposing at the same time.
I realize how much these ceremonies are important in the perpetuation of traditions and culture. Robert Mirabal (see my Newsletter title Magic through Music) said: “I visited many cultures and I think it is the dance that keeps them alive and keeps them together”.
I agree with him. Coming back from one of these dances, I was thinking of how ‘commercial’ and meaningless many of the western celebrations seem to have become, and how we have even lost the true meaning or spirit.
When coming to the Southwest, inquire about those ceremonies and take the time to attend them; you will feel the sacred, the connection between the past and the present, between all things, man and animals, plants and earth.
Bring the drums' "rhythms" back with you within your heart, to celebrate meaningfully all events.
