Hanay Geiogamah

Hanay Geiogamah is a playwright, television and movie producer, and professor at the University of California. Born in Oklahoma to a father of Kiowa descent, and a mother of Lenni Lenape descent – Geiogamah is considered the first famous and successful Native American playwright. Throughout his career he wrote numerous plays depicting Native American culture and society, as well as served as a producer for television programs that aired on well-known networks such as TBS and TNT. In addition, he was responsible for forming the well-known American Indian Dance Theater which travelled the nationally and internationally, performing a variety of Native American dances and songs (Vassar). Geiogamah’s heritage is one that is rich in both history and culture. The Lenni Lenape culture originally occupied the area surrounding the Delaware River including: Delaware, New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Southeastern Long Island (Caffrey). Descendants typically formed small …show more content…
Every member of the Lenni Lenape was required to retrieve a personal spirit that would look over them in order for them to succeed. When members of the tribe were in their early teenage years, they were sent out on a formal vision quest. During their quest, they would refrain from food and water, and once they returned, they would be granted a new name which was based on the events that transpired during their quest. The Big House Ceremony was another religious event that was very important to Lenni Lenape society. The Big House represented the universe such that the roof represented the sky where the Creator lived, the floor represented the Earth, and the four walls represented the four quarters of the Earth. The main purpose of the ceremony – which lasted for twelve days – was for the entire tribe to thank the Creator and the Spirits for their past blessings and good fortunes, while also praying for a successful year ahead