Our
belief system embraces the traditional spiritual teachings that
have been passed down from our ancestors. It is based on nature.
To ensure the continuation of life, we participate in ceremonies
during which we give thanks for the seasons and the wonder of life
that the various seasons bring. We do that by way of songs, traditional
dances, prayer and feasting.
The
Ceremonial Cycle of the Haudenosaunee
Mid-winter
is a seven day ceremony celebrating the beginning of the New Year.
The ceremony that follows is Giving Thanks to the Maple. The Maple
tree is the leader of all the trees in the world. The running of
the Maple sap marks the beginning of the reawakening of Mother Earth
after her long winter sleep.
The Thunder Ceremony is held when we hear the first thunder in Spring.
We welcome back Our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, so that they
may resume their task of replenishing the waters of Mother Earth.
All living things depend on that precious gift of water.
The
Seed Ceremony is next, to thank the seeds whose power provides food
for the people of the world.
The
Strawberry Ceremony occurs in the middle of June when the wild strawberries
are ripe. The strawberry is recognized and acknowledged as
the leader of all the medicine plants.
The
String Bean Ceremony and the Green Corn Ceremonies come next. Beans,
corn and squash are the staples of our traditional diet and are
known as The Three Sisters.
The
Harvest Ceremony marks the end of the ceremonial cycle. At that
time, we thank our Mother the Earth for providing us with all that
we need to survive.
All
of our ceremonies revolve about giving thanks for the gifts that
we have been given.
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