Ceremony Written by Leslie Marmon Silko Presentation by: Valerie Baehl and Laura Rowe

“The only cure I know is a good ceremony, that’s what she said.” (3)

“Ceremony” A formal act or set acts performed as prescribed by ritual or custom

A Call to Ceremony Upon returning from war, Tayo, a Native American, is sent to Betonie, a medicine man. After hearing Tayo’s stories of war, Betonie appoints Tayo to complete his ceremony. One stipulation is that the ceremony must change, as ceremonies must change throughout time to fit the ever-changing world. Betonie reintroduces Tayo to his Native American traditions, which allows Tayo to once again relate and understand his culture.

The Scalp Ceremony in Ceremony Purpose: To Rid Tayo of haunting war memories, separating him from his life in war. Procedure: –Tayo sits while Shush and Betonie chant prayers of Tayo. –Shush and Betonie cut his scalp and sing about his journey away and their hopes for his return. –Tayo is then taken into the hogan for rest and Indian tea.

The Ultimate Call to Ceremony in Ceremony While the Scalp Ceremony rids Tayo of many haunting memories of war, he does not forget everything. In following Betonie’s advice, Tayo decides to find a way back to his Native American roots. Betonie has calls Tayo to embrace his Native American roots in an effort to stop the destruction of animals and earth by the whites.

The Aftermath On his ceremonial quest, Tayo acquires a willingness to accept help from others, particularly animals, as the mountain lion came to his rescue. Tayo soon discovers an abandoned uranium mine, which he believes to be the final station in his ceremony, as it symbolically connects whites to the earth. As called to do, Tayo completes his night in the mine, completing the ceremony and repossessing all of the land the whites have taken from the Native Americans.

The Aftermath (Con.) Though Tayo’s ceremony does not save all Native Americans, it affects those who fought in the war, those who were affected by different cultures, and those affected by drought. To complete the ceremonial journey, Tayo learns (as a result of his quest) to accept the inevitable concept of loss in his life, for he has come to realize that the natural elements of the world will always be with him.

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The Pipe Ceremony

The pipe ceremony is a sacred ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds Tobacco is used to connect the worlds -the plant’s roots go deep into the earth, -its smoke rises high into the heavens. It is unthinkable for a Native American to break their word after smoking the pipe The Pipe Ceremony

Beseeching the West power, while thinking about the life giving rains and the ever present spirit world. Beseeching the north power, the source of endurance, strength, truthfulness, and honesty, which are qualities needed to walk down a good path in life. Looking to the east power. The east is where the sun rises, and the sun brings us knowledge, the essence of spirituality. Beseeching the south power, which brings us bounty, medicine, and growth.

The Pipe Ceremony (Con.) Next to be acknowledged is the earth spirit. The pipe touches the ground and they say, "Mother Earth, I seek to protect you." Since Mother Earth depends on the sun’s life giving energy, the pipe is then held up towards the sky. Lastly, the pipe is held straight up to the Great Spirit, the Great Mystery, the unexplainable source of all life. These words are then spoken: "Oh Great Spirit, I thank you for the six powers of the universe."

A Familiar Ceremony

High School Graduation Ceremony Long robes and flat hats Procession of principle, teachers, and students to the tones of Pomp and Circumstance Speeches by Guest Speaker, Principle, Valedictorian and Salutatorian Individually handing each graduate their diploma and shaking their hand

Comparisons (For Further Discussion) How do all of these ceremonies differ in their content? How do they differ in purpose? In which ways are they the same?

Works Cited mCatchers/entries/606