The indigenous group that I decided to indulge in are the Iroquois Native

Americans, specifically the Mohawk people of that tribe that are located mainly in
New York and Quebec. A special ceremony that the Mohawk people do every year is
an event called The Midwinter Ceremony, which includes six days of spiritual
events. This is either held in the months of January or February, generally they start
when they see the big dipper appear directly above them and then they wait until
they see the new moon appear. As stated before the ceremony includes six
celebrations over the course of 9 days, Shatekohsehra, Ohstonwako:wa,
Watherara:ken, Aton:wa, Oheho:ron, and lastly Kaientonwa:nen. This ritual is
also often referred to as The New Years ceremony, mainly because it commences
the beginning of a new ritual year.
Shatekohsehra, the first celebration means Stirring of the Ashes. Stirring
of the ashes is an act of symbolism in which the ashes are stirred to revive life by
turning the ashes into dirt and the dirt becoming the flesh of Mother Earth. The
Uncles of the tribe, usually referred to as Big Heads, walk into a house, use their
mallets, and stir up the ashes in the fireplace. Its considered to be showing
gratitude to the creator. Theyre also wanting the New Year to bring renewal and
fertility to the earth. The ashes are symbolic to the earth. I would consider this a
technological ritual because it seeks to produce a change in nature so that the
tribe may benefit from it. Ohstonwako:wa, the second celebration means Great
Feather Dance. There are three dances that occur for this ritual, the first dance is
hosted by the Faithkeepers of the tribe to the Creator. Faithkeepers are very
knowlegable in their peoples history so that they can share it with future
generations. The second is held by the chiefs, clansmothers, and the rest of the
tribe. The third is sponsored by all the people for the creator. This dance is
strictly performed to give praiset o the creator for everything he has done for the
people in the past year. Rattles made from turtle shells are used for the rhythm
while the dancers dance to two singers. An 18 th century prophet by the name of
Handsome Lake considered this ceremony one of the Four Sacred Ceremonies
essential for salvation. Therefore, I would consider this ritual to be a salvation
ritual. Watherara:ken, the third celebration means White Basket Sacrifice, used
to be referred to as White Dog Sacrifice. A white basket is created to hold the
tobacco while an elder recites a report of the past years activities asks the
creator for his support for the upcoming year. After the announcement, the
basket is put into the fire as an offering. This represents a way for the members
of the tribe to communicate with the creator expressing both a message of
thanks and a solicitation for a successful and bountiful growing season for the
new year. I want to say this would be a technological ritual because although
theyre thanking the creator theyre also asking for a change in nature so that
they can benefit in some way.
Aton:wa, the fourth celebration is a Personal Thanksgiving Chant and name
confirmation. A man will walk through the longhouse, reminds everyone of their
duties to the tribe and then proceeds to thank every group and praise them for
what theyve done for the tribe. Men also sing their personal thanksgiving song
talk to the creator and others, thanking and praising them and ask that they help
assist them in the upcoming year. The second part of this day is when all the
babies get their names confirmed. I dont believe this specific ritual would fit any
of Anthony Wallaces specific rituals. Oheho:ron, the fifth celebration is the Drum
Dance. While people are singing and dancing, a spiritual history about the
beginning of time and their own people is recited. This would be considered their
thanksgiving through song and dance. Lastly, Kaientonwa:nen, the fitfth
celebration means Peach Stone Game. This would be considered to be another
one of the Four Sacred Ceremonies thats said to be the creators favorite
game. It symbolizes a game played by the creator and his evil brother when they
competed for the creation of the earth. Six peach stones are burnt on one side
and shaken in a bowl. The score is determined by the number of black sides and
white sides show up on the peach stones. This game is played to symbolize the
new beginning of earth and the battle of survival their crops endure throughout
nature. The outcome is used to determine how successful next years harvest will
be. I would consider this to be a revitalization ritual because their embarking on
a new beginning, reviving their tribe.
In conclusion, this ceremony represents various types of Types of Rituals
performed throughout their tribe. I believe its the most diverse ceremony that
includes different aspects of rituals in any other well known tribe in North
America. Their rituals are similar to the Ghost Dances that weve talked about in
class as well as the Cargo Cult. Theres a direct line of communication with the
creator and the people.

Citations

Time, I. (2009, January 9). Traditional Mohawk Ceremonies.

Retrieved April 11, 2017, from
http://www.indiantime.net/story/2009/01/09/cultural-
corner/traditional-mohawk-ceremonies/969.html

Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony History & Cartoon Fun by

Brownielocks. (2004). Retrieved April 11, 2017, from
https://www.brownielocks.com/iroquoisceremony.html