Native American After Life Rituals
American Indian Celebrations of the Dead and the Spirit World
Oct 31, 2008
For native American Indians, death was an end to life on earth but a start of life for the soul in the next world. There is a common belief amongst most native tribes that the soul enters the Spirit World; however, this journey may be long and complicated so after life rituals are performed to ensure that the spirits do not continue to roam the earth and trouble the living.
Hopi House of the Dead
Hopi Indians believe that the soul moves along a Sky path westwards; those that have lived a righteous life will travel with ease but those who haven't will encounter suffering on their journey. To ensure a safe journey for the spirits, the Hopi will wash their dead with natural yucca suds and dress them in traditional clothes.
Prayer feathers, ankwakwosis, are then tied around the forehead of the deceased, as a blessing, and they are then buried with favorite possessions and feathered prayer sticks. The living pray and grieve for the spirits to help them on their way; traditional foods and special herbs are served and placed at the grave side.
Navajo Dance Hall of the Dead
The Navajo Indians perceive that living to old age is a sign of a life well lived, and free from anger, ensuring that the soul will return to Dawn Woman and be born again. If a Navajo dies from sudden illness, witchcraft, suicide or violence it may cause the appearance of a chindi, a destructive ghost, which will cause trouble for the family of the deceased.
Therefore, Navajo Indians strive to maintain a balanced life, free from anger and illness, to try to ensure that old age is reached. Navajos use a wide array of medicinal herbs to try to help them achieve this. Navajo tribes differ in their beliefs of afterlife; some believe destiny is the underworld, some believe they will traverse the Milky Way to the Dance Hall of the Dead.
After life rituals can vary from three to seven days with careful thought given to foods and herbs chosen for the celebration, a reflection on how the deceased lived their life. Common herbs used for many Navajo celebrations include broom snake weed (Gutierrezia saraothrae), soap weed (Yucca angustissima) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma).
Pueblo All Souls' Day
Many parts of the South Western States celebrate the dead on All Soul's day, November 1st; it is believed that spirits return on this day and visit family and friends. In preparation, Pueblo families prepare beans, melons, corn and dishes such as panocha, a sweet dish of wheat sprouts, and take them to churches where candles are lit the night before on October 31st.
Homes are decorated with ears of corn as a blessing for the dead to pass safely to sipapau, where the tribe first emerged from the earth. Cedar water and cedar oil lotions are used in the preparation of the dead for burial, the cedar trees being popular in both medicinal and practical uses throughout a Pueblo's life. Cedar-filled pouches are often buried with the dead and a carving of a cedar wood amulet blesses and ensures safe passage for the deceased.
The Mexican Days of the Dead
Los Dias de los Muertos is perhaps the most well known of native after life rituals; today it is a blend of both ancient Aztec rituals and beliefs, and Spanish Roman Catholicism, which followed the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Similar to Pueblo All Souls' Day, Mexicans prepare offerings and food to celebrate the return of the dead on the now observed days of November 1st, All Saints' Day, and November 2nd, All Souls' Day.
Families spend the night at the dead's graveside, offering flowers and food and music to the dead; fluttering, lighted candles are said to be an indication that the souls are with them and enjoying the offerings. The following day is spent on reflection and feasting; confronting death and celebrating in this way is a way for people to feel a sense of rebirth and respect for life.
References:
Kavasch, E. Barrie, Baar, Karen 1999 American Indian Healing Arts USA: Bantam
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