Paul G

Posted by RedbirdsVision

Sharing the World with Many Spirits

Why do shells adorn a dancer’s shirt, or feathers grace their hair?
What meaning has the swaying fringe, or the animal skins they wear?

The clothing and other items that dancers wear is referred to as regalia. These are unique creations that express the individuality of their owner, which is why no two people have identical regalia.

Friends and relatives usually help a dancer create their regalia. It can take years to make an intricately beaded vest or dress, and many of the items a person wears or carries have a very personal value and meaning to them.

The fur and feathers of animals are more than decorations. They are reminders of the connection we share with our animal brothers and sisters in the intricate web of life. By wearing them we honor the deer’s giving nature, the bear’s protectiveness and ability to heal, the hawk’s sharp eye and rapid flight, and the eagle’s ability to soar high into the heavens, carrying our thoughts and prayers to the Creator.

We remember and respect the lovely shells from which we make adornments. They are more than shells; they are the essence of the animals whose bodies gave our ancestors rich nourishment, and who continue to feed us today. The buffalo sustained countless generations of plains Indian tribes with everything they needed to survive. The seal gives the people of the northwest coast the same, everything from food and clothing to utensils and jewelry items.

Dancing with these animals, whether represented in beadwork or in the wearing of their feathers, fur and talons, gives us strength and pride. We are honoring our sacred relationship with all things on Mother Earth. We are receiving from these animals their own unique gifts and powers. We are keeping alive the memory of our connection to all other living things, and we are doing so by honoring them as we dance with them in a good way.

Until just a few generations ago, all people lived much closer to the land, and to the plants and animals that sustained them. If you had been born just two hundred years ago, chances are you would have known all the native plants and animals that lived near you. You would probably know how to hunt small game and capture fish, how to select fresh eggs, how to catch and saddle a horse, and know the smell of approaching rain before any clouds appeared in the sky.

Different cultures throughout the world relate to their environment in different ways. For American Indians, we see ourselves as a part of the web of life, a web which is delicate and maintained by balance; by not taking too much, by not being greedy with our food and possessions, by giving thanks for the abundance that we have and for our plant and animal brothers and sisters who so graciously share with us, that we may live.

__________________
New to the site--Introduce Yourself Need Help--FAQ--Search
Feedback--Post your suggestions

MyTribalSpace.com | NativeGatherings.com | PowWows.com Podcast | Indigitunes.com
NativeSeek.com | Pow Wow TV | Pow Wow Radio | NativeMusicSource.com Radio | NDN411.com | eSnag Online Dating

Pow Wow TV - Find out how you could win a 42" Plasma TV!