Humans have long valued the connection between the soul’s health and their beliefs. This connection is what keeps people secure and strong. In Native American culture, traditions serve as a link between the mystical worlds and the natural world. The mystical world is filled with spirits from nature that ensure the balance of nature and the prosperity of the earth for humans in their natural world. Through prayers and rituals, this link provides individuals with a firm foundation which strengthens their beliefs and maintains the fragile balance of nature. In Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony, young Tayo seeks to complete his ceremony with nature to recover from war and the loss plaguing his heart. By holding on to his traditions, Tayo comes to
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Despite many attempts to eradicate Native Americans, a deeply rooted culture has helped Indians persevere against whites showing the importance of maintaining cultural traditions in defense against death and destruction of the soul. Silko presents her case through symbolism, characterization, and storytelling.
The symbolism portrayed through ancient and modern rituals connects Native Americans to their land and establishes strength within the individual to continue protecting their traditions. When Tayo performs a ritual in the hills he feels that “[the ritual] he did seemed right, as he imagined with his heart the rituals the cloud priests performed during a drought” (Silko 86-87). This ritual is symbolic to the drought within his soul. He feels a need to quench his thirst and feel alive in the rain of his being. He feels the broken connection with Mother Nature and becomes desperate to heal his spirituality. Tayo’s uncertainty of the future and war leads him to seek comfort from traditions. He feels, with deep conviction, that his prayer for strength from the earth was correct. Through his ritual he is able to reconnect his soul to mother earth and plead for the rain that would wash away his anxiety and bring comfort to his soul. Furthermore, rituals
Despite many attempts to eradicate Native Americans, a deeply rooted culture has helped Indians persevere against whites showing the importance of maintaining cultural traditions in defense against death and destruction of the soul. Silko presents her case through symbolism, characterization, and storytelling.
The symbolism portrayed through ancient and modern rituals connects Native Americans to their land and establishes strength within the individual to continue protecting their traditions. When Tayo performs a ritual in the hills he feels that “[the ritual] he did seemed right, as he imagined with his heart the rituals the cloud priests performed during a drought” (Silko 86-87). This ritual is symbolic to the drought within his soul. He feels a need to quench his thirst and feel alive in the rain of his being. He feels the broken connection with Mother Nature and becomes desperate to heal his spirituality. Tayo’s uncertainty of the future and war leads him to seek comfort from traditions. He feels, with deep conviction, that his prayer for strength from the earth was correct. Through his ritual he is able to reconnect his soul to mother earth and plead for the rain that would wash away his anxiety and bring comfort to his soul. Furthermore, rituals