The Code of Handsome Lake, the Seneca Prophet E-Book

Arthur C. Parker

• Herausgeber: Youcanprint
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Handsome Lake (1735-1815) was a religious reformer among the Iroquois, the prominent alliance of New York tribes. His 'Code', presented in this book in full, attempted to simplify the spiritual practices of the Iroquois, preaching temperance, a strict moral code, and self-determination. It also contains some startling prophecies: Handsome Lake believed the world would end (by fire) in the year 2100; he predicted the destruction of the environment, famines, and war; and one of his visions (see section 93) appears to describe the destruction of the ozone layer. This book also contains invaluable descriptions of Iroquois religious rituals and myths at the turn of the twentieth Century.

Leseprobe

CONTENTS

Introduction

Handsome Lake's Religion

Handsome LakePresent Effects Of Handsome Lake's Teaching

How The White Race Came To America And Why The Gaiwiio Became A NecessityThe Gaiwiio Code

The Great Message

Recitation Of The Second Day

Recitation Of The Third Day: Now At Tonawanda

The Journey Over The Great Sky-Road

Field Notes On The Rites And Ceremonies Of The Ganio`Dai'io` Religion*Gana?Yasta`

The White Dog Sacrifice

Ne Ganeowo

Outlines Of The Cornplanting And The Maple Thanksgivings

Special Annual Ceremonies

Legend Of The Coming Of Death

The Funeral Address

The Death Feast

Secret Medicine Societies Of The Seneca

The Little Water Company

Pygmy Society, The Dark Dance Ceremony

The Society Of Otters

Society Of Mystic Animals

The Eagle Society

The Bear Society

The Buffalo Society

Chanters For The Dead

The Woman's Society

Sisters Of The Dio`He:'Ko

The False Face Company

The Opening Or Tobacco Throwing Ceremony Of The False Face Company

The Husk-Faces

Iroquois Sun Myths

Anecdotes Of Cornplanter

Key To Phonic System

Glossary Of Seneca Words

The Code of Handsome Lake,

the Seneca Prophet

by

Arthur C. Parker

1913

The Code of Handsome Lake, the Seneca Prophet by Arthur C. Parker

INTRODUCTION

HANDSOME LAKE'S RELIGION

The Gai'wiio`1 is the record of the teachings of Handsome Lake, the Seneca prophet, and purports to be an exact exposition of the precepts that he taught during a term of sixteen years, ending with his death in 1815. It is the basis of the so-called "new religion" of the Six Nations and is preached or recited at all the annual midwinter festivals on the various Iroquois reservations in New York and Ontario that have adherents. These reservations are Onondaga, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus and Allegany in New York and Grand River and Muncytown in Ontario.

There are six authorized "holders" of the Gai'wiio` among whom are John Gibson (Ganio`dai'io`) and Edward Cornplanter (Soson'dowâ), Senecas, and Frank Logan (Adoda:r'ho), Onondaga. Chief Cornplanter is by far the most conservative though Chief Gibson seems to have the greater store of explanatory matter, often interpolating it during his exposition. Chief Logan is a devout adherent of his religion and watches the waning of his prophet's teachings with grave concern. His grief is like that of Hiawatha (Haiyon'wêntha) and inclines him to leave Onondaga for a region where the prophet will not be jeered.

The stated times for the proclaiming of the Gai'wiio` are at the Six Nations' meeting in September and at the midwinter thanksgiving in the moon Nîsko'wûkni:, between January 15th and February 15th. At such times the Oñgwe?'oñweka: or "faithful Indians" send for an expounder paying his traveling expenses and entertaining him during his stay. Usually reservations "exchange" preachers, Cornplanter going to Grand River or Onondaga and Chief Gibson to Cattaraugus or Allegany.

The time consumed in reciting the Gai'wiio` is always three days. At noon each day the expositor stops, for the sun is in midheaven and ready to descend. All sacred things must be done sêde:'tcia:, . Before sunrise each morning of the preaching the preacher stands at the fireplace in the long house and sings a song known as the Sun Song. This is an obedience to a command of the prophet who promised that it should insure good weather for the day. "The wind always dies down when I sing that song," affirms Chief Cornplanter.