Seeds of Change: Beautiful Cultures
Continued Bridge Builders research on just a few of the many beautiful cultures and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas:
Our latest diary entry describes the beauty of Monte Albán, one of the first ancient MesoAmerican cities, a beautiful Zapotec metropolis in what is now known as Oaxaca, Mexico. This city capital thrived between 500 BCE and 800 CE, resting on over four miles of mountain top surrounded by valleys of other mountains on every side. The Zapotec peoples stood in the city of Monte Albán, overlooking the societies that lived in the valleys below. Monte Albán was a center for trade and featured rituals and ceremonies in massive monuments, play in ball courts, burial tombs, and more. “The name Zapotec is an exonym; they were referred to by Nahuatl speakers as tzapotēcah (singular tzapotēcatl), which means "inhabitants of the place of sapote". The Zapotec referred to themselves by some variant of the term Be'ena'a, which means "The Cloud People".
Sapote is a very special fruit that grows on trees in this region, it’s very delicious and very good for you! You can purchase it at HEB!
Our Bridge Builder described the smell of amazing foods, let’s watch this video to learn more about the cuisine of the Zapotec people.
Chef Abigail says, “Before the Spanish came to Mexico, we already had our own foods, and our own ways of cooking. We’ve been doing it for thousands of years. The food is is, and we are the food. You cook with your soul and your spirit.”
Does Chef Abigail’s connection to her people and her food inspire you? We are all indigenous from somewhere. It is my hope that you will feel inspired to connect with your own indigenous ancestry. Cultural knowledge is activism.
Now let’s explore another beautiful aspect of Indigenous culture in the Americas, this time, the Crow Nation, in the southern Montana region of the United States. The Crow Tribe of Montana, known as the Apsaalooke peoples, are the “children of the large beaked bird” and their ancient ancestors were defenders, hunters, and beautiful artists. The Apsaalooke were known for constructing some of the largest tipis in history, and also for their intricate beadwork. They adorned every aspect of their lives with these beads, and even have their own style of stitch work called the “crow stitch” which many use not even realizing its Apsaalooke origins. “ Some of the clothing that the Crow People decorated with beads included robes, vests, pants, shirts, moccasins and various forms of celebratory and ceremonial gear. In addition to creating a connection with the land, from which they are a part, the various shapes and colors reflected one's standing and achievements. For example, if a warrior were to slay, wound or disarm an enemy, he would return with a blackened face.[93] The black color would then be incorporated in the clothing of that man, most likely in his war attire. A beaded robe, which was often given to a bride to be, could take over a year to produce and was usually created by the bride's mother-in-law or another female relative-in-law. These robes were often characterized by a series of parallel horizontal lines, usually consisting of light blue. The lines represented the young women's new role as a wife and mother; also the new bride was encouraged to wear the robe at the next ceremonial gathering to symbolize her addition and welcoming to a new family.[92] In modern times the Crow still often decorate their clothing with intricate bead designs for powwow and everyday clothing.”
At the start of our class, we journaled in our Seeds of Change notebooks with the ask, “what does fancy look like? What do we picture when we think of royalty, regality?” As we watch this “Mask Up” video, I ask the question again from a different perspective: can our perception of what regality looks like, expand to include Indigenous Peoples like this Apsaalooke dancer?
I will ask the same question while looking at these beautiful photos of these Two Spirit Indegenous peoples, representing the Northern Ute, the Shoshone-Bannock, the San Carlos Apache, and The Navajo and Southern Ute, in traditional and modern cultural dress.
Do these artistries inspire you to create? How can we be resourceful and intuitive with our art? One way is our paper beads that we are making. Can we think of more ways?
Now, let’s celebrate the beauty in the music of some Indigenous Peoples, first from the Northern Cree, of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in the Beaver Hills region of Alberta, Canada. In this video, we will see these indigenous peoples in modern and traditional dress, while we listen.
And another, this time from Lac Courtes Oreilles in northern Wisconsin, the Hay Creek Youth Hand Drum Champions.
And one more, from Sacred Spring, at the annual Sacred Springs Pow Wow in San Marcos, Texas.
What do we notice about this style of song and dance? Does their music make you feel an emotion?
More to explore and celebrate:
DJ Shub Indomitable feat Northern Cree Singers
Pow Wow Dance Styles and Meanings
