Native
Americans have always highly respected the turtle. They view the turtle as a
symbol for wisdom and good health, most likely because the turtle has a
relatively long life span and it’s wrinkly appearance give it an aged
look. Many Native American groups
will even use turtle shells as rattles in their healing rites. The turtle is
often also viewed as a symbol of protection because they have a shell that
protects their body. In the old days, a group of Native Americans called the
Lakota would put a pendant in the shape of the turtle on their daughter’s crib
for protection.
There
are several Native American peoples that believe the turtle plays a key role in
creation and they believe the whole entire Earth rides on the back of a giant
turtle. This is why sometimes people call North America, “turtle island.” Some,
in hearing this myth, would then proceed to ask, “What does that turtle stand
on?” the answer is another turtle.
That second turtle stands on another turtle and then that turtle is on a
fourth turtle, etc, etc. This myth is where the saying “It’s all turtles” originated from.
Turtles
are a recurring theme throughout many Native American groups. One group of
Native Americans called the Delaware Indians or Lenni Lenape had a special
tribe called Unami or turtle clan. Two other clans, the Wolf and the Turkey,
also divide the Lenni Lenape but the turtle clan was considered the most
powerful.
Another
type of Native Americans called the Cherokee, a group that originally occupied
South Carolina; have many stories dealing with the turtle. One story in
particular is about how the turtle lost his whistle to the quail. The quail was
able to trick the turtle into letting him borrow his whistle. When the turtle
wanted it back, the quail flew away with it, and the turtle has never regained
his whistle since. According to this story, this is why when a quail is
whistling; you will see a turtle traveling in that direction trying to get his
whistle back.
The
turtle is also important to a group of Tewa-Speaking Natives from the Pueblos
of San Juan. This band of Natives, located in New Mexico has a special dance
called the Turtle Dance, which is used to mark the transition into a new year.
The dance is named after the turtle because it is believed that the turtle is
the first being that emerges from hibernation after the start of a new year.
This
is just a brief glimpse for what role the turtle plays in the Native American
world. There are many more groups out there that highly respect the turtle and
use it for myths, ceremonies, and jewelry, even today.
References
Image Link:
http://i1.cpcache.com/product_zoom/495711263/turtles_all_the_way_down_stein.jpg?height=460&width=460&padToSquare=true
1 comment:
I love the image of the world on the back of a turtle!
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