The Iroquois: Culture and Myth
When people are told to think of ideas associated with Native Americans, common terms are usually things such as scalping, red skin, weird religions, and uncivilized. However, these terms are all very stereotypical. Yes, there are a few tribes that match these descriptions, but the majority are peaceful and modern. One of these peaceful and modern tribes is the Iroquois. The Iroquois tribe is most likely one of the oldest and most well known of Native American tribes, and they have managed to prosper since before Jesus’s birth. The people of the Iroquois have a culture that is extremely unique which can be shown through their agriculture, art, clothing, religion, and myths.
The Iroquois tribe resides in …show more content…
Unlike in most olden societies, Iroquoian farming was not done by only men. In actuality, both men and women shared the work equally. For example, women had the job of doing the actual planting. Later, after the crops were fully grown, men performed the job of clearing away the fields so that the crops could be used. Thus, the cycle could repeat year after year. Now, the Iroquois regarded three crops as highly spiritual. These were corn, squash, and beans, and they were known amongst the tribe as “The Three Sisters”. The Iroquois believed that these three crops helped in sustaining life within the tribe. Without them, they would falter. Not only did the Iroquois have a unique agriculture, but they also had a very different sense of fashion than what we know today. They would use skins and hides from various woodland creatures. Also, they would make weavings out of various plants and tree fibers. Comically, the Iroquois used their odd clothing not only for protection but also for decoration. Though both agriculture and clothing were important to them, the Iroquois’s most prized aspect of their culture is, undeniably, their art. Iroquoian art was used for not only visual pleasure, but also, it carried the history and legends of the tribe within it. Relating back to clothing, the Iroquois often crafted beautiful bead designs which they attached to their clothing. Another art …show more content…
It was believed that, together, these three sisters sustained all life throughout the Iroquois. Now, one sister, Corn, was overly happy about being proclaimed a sustainer of life. As a result, she asked the great Creator to enable her to be able to help people even more. So, the Creator agreed and formed a body for her out of her husks. In addition to her body, the Creator crafted her the most gorgeous face possible. Corn, now in doll form, passed between children from village to village. Every Iroquois who caught a glimpse of her face proclaimed her glorious beauty. As a result, Corn became exceedingly conceted. The Creator found out about Corn’s new attitude and warned her that if she did not attempt to restrain from acting so vain that he would have no choice but to punish her. Corn agreed, but this agreement did not last for very long. One day, while walking by a small creek, Corn stole a glance into the clear water. Staring back at her was her own magnificent face. Once again, Corn became incredibly vain. The Creator, angered by her actions, sent a giant screech owl down to snatch away her reflection. This myth has been passed down for hundreds of years due to its important theme. This myth’s theme is that it is alright to be beautiful as long as you do not become absorbed within it. Iroquoian families still apply this myth today. Whenever a young
When people are told to think of ideas associated with Native Americans, common terms are usually things such as scalping, red skin, weird religions, and uncivilized. However, these terms are all very stereotypical. Yes, there are a few tribes that match these descriptions, but the majority are peaceful and modern. One of these peaceful and modern tribes is the Iroquois. The Iroquois tribe is most likely one of the oldest and most well known of Native American tribes, and they have managed to prosper since before Jesus’s birth. The people of the Iroquois have a culture that is extremely unique which can be shown through their agriculture, art, clothing, religion, and myths.
The Iroquois tribe resides in …show more content…
Unlike in most olden societies, Iroquoian farming was not done by only men. In actuality, both men and women shared the work equally. For example, women had the job of doing the actual planting. Later, after the crops were fully grown, men performed the job of clearing away the fields so that the crops could be used. Thus, the cycle could repeat year after year. Now, the Iroquois regarded three crops as highly spiritual. These were corn, squash, and beans, and they were known amongst the tribe as “The Three Sisters”. The Iroquois believed that these three crops helped in sustaining life within the tribe. Without them, they would falter. Not only did the Iroquois have a unique agriculture, but they also had a very different sense of fashion than what we know today. They would use skins and hides from various woodland creatures. Also, they would make weavings out of various plants and tree fibers. Comically, the Iroquois used their odd clothing not only for protection but also for decoration. Though both agriculture and clothing were important to them, the Iroquois’s most prized aspect of their culture is, undeniably, their art. Iroquoian art was used for not only visual pleasure, but also, it carried the history and legends of the tribe within it. Relating back to clothing, the Iroquois often crafted beautiful bead designs which they attached to their clothing. Another art …show more content…
It was believed that, together, these three sisters sustained all life throughout the Iroquois. Now, one sister, Corn, was overly happy about being proclaimed a sustainer of life. As a result, she asked the great Creator to enable her to be able to help people even more. So, the Creator agreed and formed a body for her out of her husks. In addition to her body, the Creator crafted her the most gorgeous face possible. Corn, now in doll form, passed between children from village to village. Every Iroquois who caught a glimpse of her face proclaimed her glorious beauty. As a result, Corn became exceedingly conceted. The Creator found out about Corn’s new attitude and warned her that if she did not attempt to restrain from acting so vain that he would have no choice but to punish her. Corn agreed, but this agreement did not last for very long. One day, while walking by a small creek, Corn stole a glance into the clear water. Staring back at her was her own magnificent face. Once again, Corn became incredibly vain. The Creator, angered by her actions, sent a giant screech owl down to snatch away her reflection. This myth has been passed down for hundreds of years due to its important theme. This myth’s theme is that it is alright to be beautiful as long as you do not become absorbed within it. Iroquoian families still apply this myth today. Whenever a young