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It was at the time
that Handsome Lake was waiting for the four messengers to show
him the two roads, one to the Creator's land and the other to
the Punisher's land. It was a day that was different than other
days. As the day began, the light was brighter than other days. Handsome Lake dressed
in his finest clothes.
While he was waiting, Handsome Lake walked outside and through
his garden. He heard a woman's voice from behind him, and felt
a hand softly touching his shoulder. The voice asked him to
take her along with him to the Creator's land. When Handsome
Lake turned to see who was speaking, he saw no one. He turned
to continue his walk and again he heard the woman's voice. Again,
he turned and saw no one. The third time this happened, he turned
and realized it was the corn that was touching his shoulder
and it was the corn that was asking him to take her to the Creator's
land. |
Now this was at the time when there was a great turmoil. It
was during the time of the coming of the white man and with
him, he brought disruption and alcohol. The Iroquois would plant
their gardens, but would not tend to them. They were distracted
by other things, such as the use of alcohol and gathering skins,
taking them from home and not tending their gardens. This made
the plant life very sad, and they felt they were no longer needed
here on earth. That is the reason the corn had asked Handsome
Lake to be taken away.
Handsome Lake told the corn that it was not his decision to
make to take away the plant life --the food-- from the earth.
This was a decision only the Creator could make. He also told
the corn that the young children suffer along with the elders.
There would be a great hunger among the people. The corn then
said if indeed the people needed to have the plant life on earth
there should be a way the people could show their acceptance
and recognition for having them there. The representatives of
the plant life would be the corn, beans and squash --Three Sisters.
Just as the plant life understands their responsibilities as
feeding the people and replenishing, so too do the women understand
these to be their responsibilities in feeding, taking care of
the children and replenishing.
This is the reason for the Green Corn Ceremony, to be recognized as a woman's ceremony, in recognition of the female side of life. The ceremony will begin with the opening as all ceremonies do. The Feather Dance will be done in recognition of all Creation. There will be a thanksgiving to the Three Sisters and a celebration of all plant life deciding to remain here on earth to feed the people. The Old Woman's Dance will be done by the women to renew the relationship between the women and the plant life or Three Sisters. Words of encouragement will be given to the people to continue their thanksgiving in everyday life and to continue their responsibilities. The Bean Dance will then be done in recognition of the Three Sisters also. The ceremony will be concluded with the feast to include Green Corn soup prepared by each clan. The food should be representative of the Three Sisters. |
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