The Mandan Indians faced many challenges in their lives, from the environment and climate to pests and other human beings. Many of the introductions into their world had both positive and negative effects. How were they able to survive and what drove them on a daily basis?
The Mandans were like other tribes of their time in that they searched for a place to live that provided the resources necessary to maintain their life. They also made sure the place could be protected from attacking or invading hostiles. Their lives were not focused on material possession, but rather on the things that were needed for survival. I don’t know that we, today, could endure in their world without our daily cup of Starbucks and Smartphones by our side.
The …show more content…
The illnesses and diseases foreigners brought with them caused great suffering and even death; to the point of a rise in suicides due to the distress of the sickness. Of course, the Mandan were not the only victims of this; many Native Americans succumbed to Smallpox and other diseases. Today these diseases are preventable with vaccinations and if contracted are not quite as deadly with modern medicine.
The more prominent aspects of the Mandans demeanor were that of being approachable and accepting. One cannot be successful in the business of trading if they are not able to get along with the people they are doing business with and newcomers that offer the opportunity to expand commerce. For the most part, the Mandans were not a hostile tribe. They did have their issues with peoples such as the Sioux and the occasional dispute with their neighbors the Hidatsa, but they were rarely the aggressor in many …show more content…
by explorers Lewis and Clark to meet President Thomas Jefferson. He and others were to be put on display as an example of Native Americans. Sheheke refused to participate in the “show” and dance of his culture for the Americans. He wished to maintain his dignity and sat stoically throughout the performances.
Finally, the Okipa was the most interesting to me of the customs of the Mandan. As a Roman Catholic myself, I enjoy the feasts and celebrations throughout the liturgical year. The Okipa, being “the four-day ceremony that brought good things to the Mandan world,” (Fenn, 100) was an amazing assortment of activities and sometimes painful sacrifices of the flesh. From orgies to the piercing of back flesh with large hooks for hanging, there were amazing actions for the cause.
The Mandan were a strong, organized tribe who were not afraid to engage other peoples. This fed nicely into their engagement in selling and trading. They adapted to the adversities that came their way and created ways to survive. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad, to which they rose up and found a way to persevere. I can understand how they
The Mandans were like other tribes of their time in that they searched for a place to live that provided the resources necessary to maintain their life. They also made sure the place could be protected from attacking or invading hostiles. Their lives were not focused on material possession, but rather on the things that were needed for survival. I don’t know that we, today, could endure in their world without our daily cup of Starbucks and Smartphones by our side.
The …show more content…
The illnesses and diseases foreigners brought with them caused great suffering and even death; to the point of a rise in suicides due to the distress of the sickness. Of course, the Mandan were not the only victims of this; many Native Americans succumbed to Smallpox and other diseases. Today these diseases are preventable with vaccinations and if contracted are not quite as deadly with modern medicine.
The more prominent aspects of the Mandans demeanor were that of being approachable and accepting. One cannot be successful in the business of trading if they are not able to get along with the people they are doing business with and newcomers that offer the opportunity to expand commerce. For the most part, the Mandans were not a hostile tribe. They did have their issues with peoples such as the Sioux and the occasional dispute with their neighbors the Hidatsa, but they were rarely the aggressor in many …show more content…
by explorers Lewis and Clark to meet President Thomas Jefferson. He and others were to be put on display as an example of Native Americans. Sheheke refused to participate in the “show” and dance of his culture for the Americans. He wished to maintain his dignity and sat stoically throughout the performances.
Finally, the Okipa was the most interesting to me of the customs of the Mandan. As a Roman Catholic myself, I enjoy the feasts and celebrations throughout the liturgical year. The Okipa, being “the four-day ceremony that brought good things to the Mandan world,” (Fenn, 100) was an amazing assortment of activities and sometimes painful sacrifices of the flesh. From orgies to the piercing of back flesh with large hooks for hanging, there were amazing actions for the cause.
The Mandan were a strong, organized tribe who were not afraid to engage other peoples. This fed nicely into their engagement in selling and trading. They adapted to the adversities that came their way and created ways to survive. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad, to which they rose up and found a way to persevere. I can understand how they