I find it very fascinating that the Navajo intertwine both
spiritual life and heroic standing in their culture. It is stated in the text
that one of the most difficult things a Native American hero can do is ascend
to the highest point in the area then proceed to locate and name each and every
sacred place that he can see. One might assume a hero’s most difficult task would
be a warrior’s task, such as the scalping of enemy tribesmen or an epic
emotional duel with a wild animal. Instead, the true test of his mettle has
huge religious connotation. Are all the Native American tribes like this, or is
it primarily the Navajo?
One
thing I can relate to personally is the ongoing connection to soil as a means
of relating to earth as sacred or at least with strong emotional connection. It
is mentioned in the text in all kinds of contexts, ranging from Native American
rituals to farmers relating to the ground as earth when they go to tend to
their crops. It correlates to me on two levels. First, I get the basic concept.
The idea that we are attached to the ground and the earth and that we can draw power
in some form from it makes sense to me. Furthermore, I know I personally brush
up against leaves as I walk past them, touching them, sometimes breaking them
off, and feel somewhat closer to the area and the trees, getting general vibes
of energy at times when I do so. There is something so concrete about my experience
which I feel resonates with the dirt experiences the Native Americans and
farmers have.
I think
it is tragic that there are instances of Native American sacred sites being
desecrated as a result of legalistic rulings seeking nonspiritual gain. Although
I am an atheist and not the most religious of people I have a lot of respect
and sympathy for the Native Americans. Native Americans are not only one of the
most downtrodden and exploited cultures in America today but also one of the
most ritualistic and religious groups present in our country today. The fact
that we stole so much of their land in such horrible ways (Trail of Tears comes
to mind) is bad enough, but the fact we continue to damage or destroy their
land by means of federal court cases just sickens me. A court case citing the
fact that Native Americans are using an “unconstitutional establishment of
religion”, no matter how legally sound, is morally abhorrent to me. I sincerely
hope that Native Americans are able to resist further encroachments on their
sacred ground.
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