This week Tai had mentioned words such as: myths, nomadic and collapse, and how that these words should not describe the Native American. When we talked about the Hohokam and Anasazi and thier cities collapsed ,I believe that they dispersed into smaller bands, such as families moved else where. I believe today that there are tribes out there that have Hohokam, Anasazi and Cahokia blood lines.
We also talked about political formations, I would have added "Clans" under this title. I'm enrolled in the Winnebago(Ho-chunk)Tribe of Nebraska. This means that clan membership is determined through the father. Clan membership is important because the twelve Winnebago clans served both ceremonial and social functions. In Winnebago society, the clans were grouped into two major groups, an Upper Sky group with four clans, and a Lower Earth group consisting of eight other clans. Clan membership was also extremely important among the Winnebago tribe for political reasons. The Winnebago’s Chiefs governed the tribe with the aid of a Tribal Council composed of a principal member of each individual clan. Traditionally, the Thunderbird and Bear clans were the most important groups in Winnebago society because the hereditary Chiefs of the tribe were always chosen from the Thunderbird (Upper) and Bear (Lower) clans. The Upper Chief of the Thunderbird clan was the tribe’s representative of peace. Despite the tribe’s apparent emphasis on war, the Upper Chief could not go to war, or participate in any of the tribe’s war ceremonies. He was responsible for pleading for clemency for an accused criminal, and for providing refuge to prisoners in order to maintain their safety. His lodge was a sacred asylum, and no one dared violate it. The Lower Chief’s duties, on the other hand, were a sharp contrast from those of the Upper Chief. He was associated with the policing of the tribe, as well as responsible for disciplinary and war functions. The Lower Chief was charged with inflicting punishment on criminals, housing prisoners, and guarding the village (radin). This is just one example of how clans work in one tribe, every tribe is different on what thier own clan does.
2 comments:
I really only read the first part of your post, but I have a thing to say about the word usage in the class. I think the word "Collapse" was used correctly. Tai claimed that these people did not fail, but merely just did "not succeed". To not succeed is a failure. If they could not keep the city functioning then it will collapse and thus fail. They may have spread out into smaller bands, but their society still failed. It may not have been their fault and the salt in the rivers may have increased on their own, but the society did collapse. When Rome collapsed, it does not mean that all the Romans died, but merely were scattered. To collapse means to fall, not that everyone died. That is just my view on the subject matter, I hope to hear some counterviews and have a debate on the subject. I only used one word so there are plenty left!
Wow, what an insightful post! I completely agree regrading the power of words. I also have wondered about the textbook's frequent use of the term 'indian' which I had heard was not a preferred term, as it was a misnomer from when Columbus discovered the 'east indies.'
I loved reading your post! When you say 'enrolled' in a tribe what does that entail? Are there tribal obligations, or of any sort?
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