Creation Myth, Religious and Cultural Traditions of Anishinaabe People - Essay Example

Creation Myth, Religious and Cultural Traditions of Anishinaabe People Anishinaabe is a unique group of people in the American continent. Currently, this group constitutes the second largest tribe in North America. Due to their large numbers, this group is widely spread out in five states in America. Anishinaabes are widely known for their various myths and unique cultural and religious practices across the world. Consequently, various talented and creative authors have detailed and informative books and articles on the myths and religious traditions of Anishinaabe tribe. Benton-Banai is the perfect example of a writer who has a well-documented book on the origin and creation theory of the Anishinaabe community. His book the Mishomis Book informs readers of the origin of man and his indigenous language. As a way of validating Benton-Banai’s claims, it is important to compare his claims with the general view of the creation theory, cultural, and religious practices of this unique group. Thus, a detailed comparison shows various similarities and differences in the two accounts. The general view of the Anishinaabe tribe reveals this group of people believe in the existence of a Supreme Being. According to Kulnieks, Longboat, and Young (2013), their creator existed long before the creation of the planet earth. Consequently, He is responsible for creating the earth and all existing human beings and animals. In addition, the Supreme Being created man on the last day. He gave man responsibility to name animals and plants in his native language that is the Anishinaabemowin. Besides, the man had no existing family and community members at that particular time. The creator, Ghizemanidoo, particularly named man Nanabozho. Furthermore, the creator said the name was important and a sign of unity in the community. As a result, it became part of the daily greeting of the community members. Both the general view and Mishomis Book have numerous similarities concerning creation story and religious belief and practices of the Anishinaabe community. Both argue that the Anishinaabe people believe in a supreme and almighty being. This group of people have religious traditions and believes in a creator. They respect and obey their creators’ orders and rules. According to Benton-Banai (2010), the Anishinaabe people have a creator who is their source of life. The creator not only gives them life, but also gives them the responsibility to name all animals in the world. In addition, their creator gives a responsibility to preserve and protect animals and plants on earth. This point is also supported by the general people`s view of this tribe. It is well documented in various historical books that Christianity was forced on the Anishnaabe group by the white missionaries. The white missionaries in their attempt to colonize the American continent forced the majority of the inhabitants into Christianity. Consequently, the Anishinaabe people became staunch Christians. Currently, they believe in God and respect the Christianity Ten Commandments. Furthermore, they take care of animals and plants as commissioned by God. Evidently, both accounts portray Anishnaabe people as religious and believers in the existence of a Supreme Being. Furthermore, both accounts agree that the Anishnaabe people are unique and have their particular language. This group of people has their unique language known as Anishinaabemowin. As a result, they have unique and different names for the elderly and leaders the tribe set up. According to Benton-Banai (2010), the speaker of the book known as “Mishomis” is a unique title for the Grandfather. The Ojibwa language that is the indigenous language of the Anishinaabe community confers such titles to elders in the community. The general view also concurs that the Anishnaabe have a unique and powerful native language as compared to the English language that is currently used in the community. They believe members of the community should have faith in their language. As a result, this gives them the feeling and pride that they are as important as other tribes or nations across the world. From the two accounts, it is evident that Anishinaabe have a unique and highly respected indigenous language that serves to unite the tribe. The language also gives special titles to influential people in the community such as the elders Moreover, both accounts agree that the white missionaries corrupted the tribe’s religious and cultural practices. The white missionaries in their attempt to conquer the world and spread Christianity, colonized and assimilated various groups into the British culture. Anishnaabe people are one of the tribes converted and absorbed into Christianity. Benton- Banai (2010) argues that the Anishinaabe culture and religious practices are under attack by visible weapons established by the white missionaries. The systems such as education and adoption of English language ignore and repress the tribe`s culture and religious practices. The same sentiment are shared by the general account and history of this tribe. The general account states that the official language of the tribe has been ignored and forgotten by some tribe members. The report claims Anishinaabemowin, their official indigenous language, should be concurrently used with English in educational facilities and teaching activities. In addition, the tribe`s children should be taught indigenous religious practices and history of the tribe through their ancient language as opposed to the English language used. These two accounts are in agreement that colonization of the tribe by the British is responsible for the erosion of the cultural practices and religious beliefs. Although both accounts talk of the creation story and divine power of the Supreme Being, they present different accounts of creation. The general view states that in the beginning there existed a Supreme known as Gizhemanidoo. Gizhemanidoo created the whole universe in an orderly manners. Furthermore, He created the living and non-living things and placed them on earth (McNally, 2013). He is also responsible for the creation of the mysterious four seasons that brings a balance of nature and make the earth habitable. In the end, the Supreme Being created the Anishinaabe. They regularly communicated through dreams. According to this account, Anishinaabe is the first being to be created and given a specific name by the creator. On the other hand, Benton-Banai (2010) claims the Supreme Being created man and gave him responsibility on earth. Although man is created, he has an existing family on earth. The creators notify him of the existence of her grandmother Nokomis, who lives across the water. Furthermore, after finding her grandmother, she tells him of his father who lives in the north. She also tells the man that he has a mother who lives in the East. Ultimately, she notifies him of the existence of his twin brother. Nokomis reveals al this to her grandson and tells him to search all his existing family members. Through this two different examples, it is evident that the two accounts disagree on some of aspect of the creation story and the origin of the family. Evidently, the tribe Anishnaabe is a unique tribe that plays a vital role in the history of the American people. This group of people has various creation stories that mainly varies among the different communities or sub-tribes. The community believes in the existence of creator and religion. They have strong faith in the spirits and also God. The two accounts reveal that, although they were colonized and forced to embrace Christianity, they still believe in their new religion and uphold the responsibility of the Christians. Furthermore, this group of people has a local language that they cherish and value. Nonetheless, the two accounts differ on some aspects of the creation stories. They disagree on the origin of the family, and the naming of the first man created. Nevertheless, the differences have little or no harm on the intended message. The readers or audience of both accounts learns the varying creation myths and religious and cultural practices revealed by the two accounts. They are essential and appropriate in enlightening the world and equipping them with adequate knowledge of the Anishnaabe. References Benton-Banai, E. (2010). The Mishomis Book. Google Books. University of Minnesota Press. Kulnieks, A., Longboat, D. R., & Young, Y. (2013). Contemporary Studies in Environmental and Indigenous Pedagogies. Springer Science & Business Media. McNally, M. D. (2013). Honoring Elders. Columbia University Press. Read More