The Soul of the Indian: An InterpretationEastman, Charles A.
Religion
The Soul of the Indian: An Interpretation
Eastman, Charles A.
Indian mythology -- North America; Indian philosophy -- North America; Indians of North America -- Religion
It was our belief that the love of possessions is a weakness to be
overcome. Its appeal is to the material part, and if allowed its way
it will in time disturb the spiritual balance of the man. Therefore the
child must early learn the beauty of generosity. He is taught to give
what he prizes most, and that he may taste the happiness of giving, he
is made at an early age the family almoner. If a child is inclined to
be grasping, or to cling to any of his little possessions, legends are
related to him, telling of the contempt and disgrace falling upon the
ungenerous and mean man.
Public giving is a part of every important ceremony. It properly belongs
to the celebration of birth, marriage, and death, and is observed
whenever it is desired to do special honor to any person or event.
Upon such occasions it is common to give to the point of utter
impoverishment. The Indian in his simplicity literally gives away all
that he has, to relatives, to guests of another tribe or clan, but
above all to the poor and the aged, from whom he can hope for no return.
Finally, the gift to the “Great Mystery,” the religious offering, may
be of little value in itself, but to the giver’s own thought it should
carry the meaning and reward of true sacrifice.
Orphans and the aged are invariably cared for, not only by their next of
kin, but by the whole clan. It is the loving parent’s pride to have his
daughters visit the unfortunate and the helpless, carry them food, comb
their hair, and mend their garments. The name “Wenonah,” bestowed upon
the eldest daughter, distinctly implies all this, and a girl who failed
in her charitable duties was held to be unworthy of the name.
The man who is a skillful hunter, and whose wife is alive to her
opportunities, makes many feasts, to which he is careful to invite the
older men of his clan, recognizing that they have outlived their period
of greatest activity, and now love nothing so well as to eat in good
company, and to live over the past. The old men, for their part, do
their best to requite his liberality with a little speech, in which
they are apt to relate the brave and generous deeds of their host’s
ancestors, finally congratulating him upon being a worthy successor
of an honorable line. Thus his reputation is won as a hunter and a
feast-maker, and almost as famous in his way as the great warrior is he
who has a recognized name and standing as a “man of peace.”
The true Indian sets no price upon either his property or his labor. His
generosity is only limited by his strength and ability. He regards it as
an honor to be selected for a difficult or dangerous service, and would
think it shame to ask for any reward, saying rather: “Let him whom I
serve express his thanks according to his own bringing up and his sense
of honor!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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