| The story
Centennial, by James A. Michener, had sections in it that referred
to the way that Native Americans lived in America. These sections told stories
that portrayed, partially, to the customs of the Native Americans. Many
general references to their religion, transportation, rituals, and everyday
life, were made. I have read these sections and analyzed some of the interesting
and important customs that these people had. In the following essay, I will give
some examples of these customs, and how they are part of the Native American
lifestyles that I read about in Centennial. As a first example, the Native
Americans that I read about during Centennial all had names that were of
objects, animals, actions, or things.
It was very important to their customs
to name a person after something distinctive or honorable to the tribe. Such
names as Cold Feet, Running Snake, and Gray Wolf, might sound odd or stupid to
you and me, but to these people, they were names of distinction and
individuality. Another example of a custom that was talked about in the book was
the Native American’s religion of polytheism. Native Americans firmly believed
in these Gods and spirits for guidance. They linked them closely to their
ancestors. As an overall whole, religion was important, but looked at
differently than other cultures saw religion. This may be why they were later
persecuted for it. The skill of Horse riding was an adapted custom that happened
while I was reading the book. In the area the book talked about, horses were
important to the tribes. They were used for so many things that it was
considered a great skill to master the technique of riding one.
In the story
that I read, respecting the elders was a custom that seemed to stand out in the
tribes. A lot of people in our present day have respect for their elders, but
not to the extreme that the Native Americans did. They were considered extremely
wise because of the experience that they had during their lifetimes. A very good
example that was heavily discussed in the book was the trading of goods for
marriage. In the story, Lame Beaver had to give up his horse to his brother in
law in order to marry. This was a custom in tribes that was heavily practiced.
Each tribe had its own strong feeling on the significance of it. Hunting was a
unique custom to the Native Americans in the way that they performed it. Many
techniques were discussed during the book. Long time bleeding, forcing animals
off cliffs, horse usage, and spears, were all unique ways that the Native
Americans hunted.
A highly important part of the book that was also a unique
custom was the sacrifice by the Pawnee tribe. Their ritual was so intricate and
planned out that it wound up being one of the most important customs that I have
mentioned. In the story, the Pawnee used their ritual to try to sacrifice Lame
Beaver. A custom and important part of the Native American culture was the
leadership displayed in a tribe. It was a huge responsibility and honor to be a
leader. Leaders were very important to the tribe and kept it running. In
conclusion, there are many important customs that are involved with the Native
American people. All dealing with different issues and aspects, they still are
practiced within the confines of a grouping of people. The customs that I
mentioned are only a small fragment of the hundreds of unique customs that the
Native Americans had. These great customs help show the importance in their
cultures. All in all, the Native Americans had different and unique customs
within their tribes.
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