Native Americans: Traditional Rituals In Mother Earth And Father Sky

Native Americans have lived in the Americas for longer than any other humans. They are split into many different tribes. Each tribe has different beliefs, but most tribes believe in Mother Earth and Father Sky, who are said to have created the universe, and are observed as the earth and the sky. Mother Earth and Father Sky created all the plants, animals, and people who inhabit the earth. One tribe, the Apache, in New Mexico will wrap their dead in a colorful blanket, and make offerings to the four directions (North, South, East, and West) and Mother Earth and Father Sky. Not all Native Americans practice traditional rituals. Many tribes were converted to Christianity by European settlers. Because of this, many Native Americans will combine

If Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America are included, there are far more. Naturally, different tribes have different beliefs; however, many of them share several staple religious views. Most tribes believe that Mother Earth and Father Sky created all the plants, animals, and people who live and have lived on the earth. Many tribes believe in a “circle of life,” or that people, plants, and animals die to keep the entire world properly functioning. Some tribes even pray over animals they killed for food as an apology to the animal’s spirit. Many tribes believe that people and animals have spirits, and often leave holes in graves or even do not bury their dead at all in order to let the spirit out. Some tribes bury their dead with a horse to help them get to the afterlife, and others don’t speak the name of the deceased again for fear of calling them back to

Today, the death of an Apache is usually announced through the newspaper in the form of an obituary. Before the funeral, dry ice is often used to preserve the body. Before the burial, the body is wrapped a colorful blanket because the Apache do not use a liner or a vault to hold the body. Green funerals are very important to them, as they believe that the nature created them, and that when they die they must give back to nature. Often the dead will be buried in Hyer Cemetery, where it is open to the sky and there is native plant life. Evergreen branches are often placed around the body as it rests on a platform suspended above the grave. Someone close to the person leads the gathering, making offerings to the four directions along with Mother Earth and Father Sky. Prayers are spoken, and colorful bundles are placed around the body. Cleansing liquid is given to attendees, and cornmeal is sprinkled on the body and offered to the four directions, the earth, and the sky. The cornmeal is to help the deceased on their way to the spirit plane. Stories are told about the deceased and their ancestors, along with music and objects the person liked are present at the funeral. Everyone helps shovel dirt over the body to return it to Mother Earth. Then the grave is marked, and people are encouraged to sign the guest