Telescope Reviews: Re: Native North Americans

I have studied native cultures, esp the Confederation of the Six Nations Iroquois, whose political structure was the basis for the United Nations Assembly. The Eastern Doorkeepers are the Mohawks, the first of the six nations and my adopted family. Their New Year's Ceremony takes twelve days, during which elders tell the entire story of the people from as far back as they have knowledge. They claim they came from the stars. The legends (history) tell of Grandmother Moon watching from above, Grandfathers speaking to us with the thunder and of two brothers who fought for domination of the earth. One brother was called good and was born in the normal fashion. The other, <not-good> but not bad (a difficult concept in itself) was born from the mother Sky Woman's armpit area. She died during delivery which caused the two boys to fight. After much struggle, the good brother prevailed and won domination of the daytime. The not-good brother was defeated but received the realm of the night as his domain.
When we die, they say we go to the <fork> in the Milky Way and then have to decide which path to take, each ruled by one of the brothers.
They have stories to explain nearly all phenomena, including constellations, for example Ursa Major is also seen as a bear. I found it amazing that any two <unrelated> human groups would see a bear in those stars, in fact it took me a long time to figure it out. Once I conceived of the entire bear, including his snout and extremely long legs, it made more sense.
The bear features large in any native tradition, being our king of the jungle. My friends in the Bear Clan are responsible for medicines and treating the sick, so the bear is seen as a good force.
They also see the Pliedes as daughters, crying over one who was taken away.
This culture is vast. The Iroquois were <civilized> in that they farmed specific areas and were able to develop extensive families with generally known histories. I believe, however that nomadic or not, all people had explanations for the stars and used their positions to predict the availability of food.
It is the <uncivilized> among us who see the stars under the best conditions, away from TV, street lights and other <developed> distractions. Of course earlier societies saw the stars better than anyone and would have to answer their children's queries, not to mention their own. The only thing holding them back was the arrival of Europeans and a good supply of optical glass. Of course, with the glass came light bulbs!
Emersonv
CPC8", old Minolta 8x40 binos
Generally dark skies in the Kootenay Mountains, BC, Canada

Post Extras