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Old 01-03-2003, 08:26 PM   #1
antryg
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Since many at IW have passionately proclaimed their views regarding religion, I thought I might offer a look at a religious expression for which many are not familiar. This is highly condensed and further aspects such as the ultimate reality, the problematic, and the answer have not been addressed here. If anyone cares for a bibliography or quotes pm me and I will supply them.
THE RITUAL


The participants gather at about sundown to enter the round dwelling, in which the meeting is normally held. Three or four major officiants are required: a road chief, who conducts the meeting, a drummer chief, who does much of the drumming, a fire chief, who tends the fire, and usually a cedar chief, who sprinkles dried cedar incense on the fire at various points during the ritual.

Almost anyone can learn the roles of drummer, fire or cedar chief after a little observation. A road chief is trained more elaborately by another road chief.

The road chief, cedar chief, and drummer chief sit together opposite the door. In front of this is a raised crescent moon of earth, the altar, on which is placed an especially fine peyote button, the chief peyote, which is not eaten and which should be the focus of concetration in praying, singing, drumming, and smoking ritual cigarettes; it serves as a center for communication with God. The fire chief sits at the north side of the door. After a prayer which announces the purpose of the meeting, and private prayers by all, peyote is passed round and eaten. Singing and drumming begin, continuing until about midnight; when there is a special ritual by the road chief and others, and a bucket of water is brought in and passed around, after further prayers by various officiants. After midnight water, singing and drumming recommence, and specially prepared peyote is supplied to the person for whose benefit the meeting is being run. He and others offer lengthyprayers at this time. (Peyote is passed round at intervals throughout the night, and in some meetings road chiefs permit people to eat peyote they have brought, as well as use the general supply.)

A morning water interval like that taken at midnight takes place and is then followed by more singing and drumming, and often by prayers by various members of the group, either for the patient, themselves or both. More singing and drumming is followed by a ceremonial breakfast of corn, meat, fruit and water. The meeting closes a little after dawn.

THE MEANS


The means by which life, and the empowerment of peyote, is experienced comes through the ritual. The ritual itself is communal in nature. Though , in the case of illness, it is the patient or his/her family which calls the meeting. It is the group which is responsible for a succesful outcome. This is seen in the important significance placed upon the midnight and morning water times, the smoking of cigarettes and the morning communal meal. It is because of this that the road chief tells the participants to have "only good thoughts" while in the ceremony, and significance is found in the number of participants who experience nausea from taking peyote.

However it is the personal meas which plays the greatest importance. "The peyote experience is one of an exteranl and interal world of personal significance. And it it this which makes peyote religiously important." It is the meaning which is conveyed to the individual which takes on primary importance. For example, in one case a participant stated that he saw a yellow line. Another participant took this neutral vision and attached personal significance to it which helped solve the problem which had caused him to attend the meeting. It must be noted that peyote is not taken to bring about visions, the visions themselves are not what is important. What is important is the meaning of the vision. Thus it is the revelation, the "communion with God" which is important.

INTERPETATION
What may be ascertained from the ritual, which has been given in its general outline, is that the Navaho peyote religion is in the "type2" category. This may be seen in the continual need for correct action within the ceremony. For instance the opening prayer and singing of the starting ritual are always the same and done by the road chief. The sage, eagle feather, cief peyote, etc. are always "smoked" before the time time of their use and always in specific ways and time (ie. the chief peyote is smoked towards the road chief four times before being replaced on the altar). Great detail is given to the implements and costumes used so thati it will be done the correct way and have the proper symbolism maintained. The dance songs are carried out by tribal societies which are entrusted to carry out this work, even the road chief is trained in the proper conduct of the ceremony by another road chief.

Also found in this ritual is the concept of a sin or guilt offering which is burned up in the "holy fire". This bears a close relation to the sin offering which are prescribed in Deuteronomy which are named on behalf of both the individual and the community. The idea of empowerment is also prominent. The ritual sharing of peyote between the participants and the belief that the peyote brings about an empowerment which brings us into communion with God also has parallel in the Christian Eucharist where it is said that the power of God is administered to the recepient in the bread and wine.

However, attention must also be given to the ascertion that it is the personal significance which is experienced in the ritual which is of primary importance. Visions often do take place and while not experienced by all they do play an important role. Due to this emphasis it must be stated that the Navaho peyote religion also exhibits strong "type 1" traits. As an example of type 1 we have Morte's vision of God which resulted in his empowerment to freedom over fear. This is close to the Navaho claim that peyote puts on in touch/communion with God in a personal manner. It is also through the peyote that the problems of life, such as fear, are overcome.
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Old 01-03-2003, 09:23 PM   #2
johnny
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That's a very long story you came up with, you could have just said the native Americans wanted to get high every once in a while. This story sounds very familiar to me, exept for the drums, but i guess that's were the stereo set comes in.
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Old 01-03-2003, 10:31 PM   #3
antryg
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Quote:
Originally posted by johnny:
That's a very long story you came up with, you could have just said the native Americans wanted to get high every once in a while. This story sounds very familiar to me, exept for the drums, but i guess that's were the stereo set comes in.
It's actually a synopsis of part of a paper that I did which shows that the Navaho peyote cult actually does qualify as a religion. Even the United States government is correct every once in a while. [img]graemlins/laugh2.gif[/img] For those of you who are wanting to "convert", the ritual is only allowed to be performed on Indian Reservations that have an active communinty and have to be led by a recognized road chief. Sorry to dash the dreams of those of you who have suddenly felt religious.
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Old 01-03-2003, 11:09 PM   #4
Ladyzekke
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I read about the Peyote Native American Indian rituals in the recent Discover magazine the other day. Was an experiment re peyote. Apparently a lot of alcoholics have been able to stop drinking once they do the Peyote experience (which apparently involves sitting in a tent with a fire for 8 hours not slouching, and only one ten minute break). Apparently it is said to be inspirational, but also nothing that could be considered addictive or fun. A test was done on Native American Indians who have taken Peyote at least 50 times in their lifetime (but do not drink or do any other drugs), vs. Native American Indians who were alcoholics who never did the Peyote experience. The ones who took peyote were smarter than the alcoholics. The experiment is still ongoing. Of course I'm not taking the stuff LOL (I couldn't anyway as it is illegal all over the U.S. except for some Native American Indians because it is a part of their religious practices), but found the article interesting.

[ 01-04-2003, 12:21 AM: Message edited by: ladyzekke ]
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Old 01-04-2003, 12:30 AM   #5
johnny
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How about the indians that take peyote AND drink alcohol ? They must be something really special then.
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Old 01-05-2003, 05:53 PM   #6
antryg
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Quote:
Originally posted by johnny:
How about the indians that take peyote AND drink alcohol ? They must be something really special then.
One of the motivating factors in the formation of the Native American Religion was to return to native practices and away from alcohol. For those who aren't aware, alcoholism is a major problem for Native Americans on many reservations.

For those who look at this thread one thing I would like is feedback as to whether ritual use of peyote is a valid religious expression.
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