Nez Perce: Religion

OUT OF ALL THE NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGIONS, THE NEZ PERCE HAVE THE MOST INTERESTING.

The Nez Perce's creation theory

In the Beginning there was only Coyote (Mother Earth)

But one day coyote saw Yellow jacket and Ant fighting

And coyote turned them into the land that we live on today

Rites of Passage: Birth

Before the baby is born the mother has to have warm and cold baths, herbal tea, and special exercises.

When the baby was due the mother got a small lodge filled with her mother, female relatives, and a midwife

When the baby was born there was a hole in the ground at the end of the of the bed were the blood and the after-birth were put.

Then the umbilical cord was cut off and put in a special jar wrapped in animal hide and was put on the child's cradle.

Rites of Passage: Childhood

The next event was when the child made a contribution for the families substandard living.

The girl's started usually when she brought back a crop's root.

A boy's usually was when he brought back a fish he caught.

Then a feast was held in the child's honor.

Rites of Passage: Into the wild blue yonder of adulthood

The most infamous passage is going into the wilderness and seeing your guardian spirit.

This step took years in training to go into the wilderness to meet their spirit

Once ready the youngin' went on his/her's trip to the mountain top with a parent or close relative to meet their spirit.

Then the young person was left alone to fast, get no sleep, and take cold baths as much as possible to get in touch with their spirit

If lucky their guardian met them to give them a special song to sing to summon their guardian to lead them back to the safety of the village.

Any objects found to the use of entertainment of the "chosen one" was to be brought back with them on their way back.

Along with this rite the girl's had a celebration for their first menstruation.

Rite of Passage: Marriage

Most of the wedding celebration consisted of a LOT of feasting and gift giving.

An elderly woman of the groom's side usually started negotiations between the couple.

Rites of DEATH

A death of a member of the community was spread around by a special crier.

The dead person was given a special bath to signify that he/she was dead.

Female relatives of deceased began wail, a signal to show that someone has died.

the dead person's face was painted red.

the next day, the dead guy was wrapped in cloth and taken to a special burial ground overlooking the village.

The burial spot was marked by a stake. From then on people would avoid the area.

Some of the deceased person's belongings were buried with them to accompany them in the afterlife.

Winter spirit dance

This dance was one of the most respected rituals in the Nez Perce culture.

there were medicine men very successful in their "weykin" spirit.

The medicine men/women participated in their guardian spirit dance.

The dances took place in longhouses in the winter time.

These dances were arranged by the shamans of the community.

During the dances the medicine people would make symbols and wave them in the air.

These symbols were related to their spirits.

They would sing their "special" songs that were given to them on their journey on the mountain. (already explained).

THE END

bonvillain, nancy. The Nez Perce. CHELSEA HOUSE PUBLISHERS, 2011. Print