The six main festivals held by the Chief each year were th
e first New Moon of spring, the new Green Corn Festival, the Green Corn Festival, the first appearance of the October New Moon (Nuwtiegwa), establishment of friendship and brotherhood and "Bouncing Bush" Festival. Messengers were sent through the nation to notify the people of the Festivals. Although there was some variation in the number of days of a Festival, they were always completed within seven days.
At most festivals a sacrifice of meat was made, the people took ceremonial baths in the water by plunging under seven times. Religious dances were held most of the night, special wood was gathered for the kindling of special fires, and tobacco was used in a special ceremony. These festivals were held as a Thanksgiving to God for the fruits of the earth. Prayers were said that God might bless the corn and meat during the year and make the people healthful. The preliminary Green Corn Feast was held in August and the main Corn Feast was held in the middle or latter part of September, when the corn was ripe.
The Nuwatiegwa was held at the time of the first appearance of the October New Moon, when the leaves began to turn yellow and fall. It was held in honor of the Great New Moon. The Indians believed the earth was created at that season, and their year began at that time.It was believed that at this festival each person might look into a crystal to see if he would live through the next year. If they could see themselves erect as they looked into the stone, it was believed they would live, but if they appeared to be lying down, they would die before the first spring moon. Those who were to die fasted all day and then had the priest consult the crystal again. If on the second trial he appeared standing erect, he was ordered to the river and bathed several times and he would be safe.
e first New Moon of spring, the new Green Corn Festival, the Green Corn Festival, the first appearance of the October New Moon (Nuwtiegwa), establishment of friendship and brotherhood and "Bouncing Bush" Festival. Messengers were sent through the nation to notify the people of the Festivals. Although there was some variation in the number of days of a Festival, they were always completed within seven days.At most festivals a sacrifice of meat was made, the people took ceremonial baths in the water by plunging under seven times. Religious dances were held most of the night, special wood was gathered for the kindling of special fires, and tobacco was used in a special ceremony. These festivals were held as a Thanksgiving to God for the fruits of the earth. Prayers were said that God might bless the corn and meat during the year and make the people healthful. The preliminary Green Corn Feast was held in August and the main Corn Feast was held in the middle or latter part of September, when the corn was ripe.
The Nuwatiegwa was held at the time of the first appearance of the October New Moon, when the leaves began to turn yellow and fall. It was held in honor of the Great New Moon. The Indians believed the earth was created at that season, and their year began at that time.It was believed that at this festival each person might look into a crystal to see if he would live through the next year. If they could see themselves erect as they looked into the stone, it was believed they would live, but if they appeared to be lying down, they would die before the first spring moon. Those who were to die fasted all day and then had the priest consult the crystal again. If on the second trial he appeared standing erect, he was ordered to the river and bathed several times and he would be safe.
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