Mi’kmaq Studies Ceremonies and Rituals
Jan 20, 2016
Mi’kmaq Studies
Ceremonies and Rituals
Ceremonies and RitualsWhat are ceremonies and rituals?What are some ceremonies and
rituals that we take part in today? What do they look, sound and feel like?
Write down your ideas.
Ceremonies and RitualsA ritual is order of a ceremonyA ceremony is a formal act or procedure
that is customary to a particular culture.
Mi’kmaq CeremoniesMi’kmaq connect with their culture and
spirituality by taking part in traditional ceremonies and rituals
The traditional Mi’kmaq cultural ceremonies are not as widely practiced today due to assimilation into European culture
To keep their culture alive, it is important that the Mi’kmaq continue to take part in the ceremonies and rituals of theirs ancestors
Pow WowPreserve heritageRenew old friendships and make new onesVisitingDancingSinging
FastingA person must fast for four days before
they enter some ceremonies (including food, drugs and alcohol)
Cleanse the body and spirit to better connect with the Creator
Vision QuestTakes place when a person comes to a
critical moment in their lifeA new direction or better purpose must be
chosenLook to the creator for guidanceSacred, personal adventure
Talking CircleWay to discuss and solve problemsOnly one person talks at a timeEveryone gets a chance to talkRespect what others say
Pipe CeremonyUsed to exchange information after a
period of fastingUsually held by a healer or medicine man
Sweat LodgeLodge constructed of willow or alder bushesEntrance always faces eastHot rocks placed in the centrePeople enter and exit many times
throughout the ceremonyCeremony is for spiritual cleansing and
healing
SmudgingSimilar to blessing oneself in Catholic faithDone to cleanse the spirit before taking
part in a traditional ceremonyThe smoke from sweet grass, cedar and
sage is used for smudging
Sweet GrassFound between bodies of salt and fresh
waterSignifies spiritual strength, as it is given by
Mother EarthBurn sweet grass to purify and cleanse
ourselvesDone so our ceremonies will be celebrated
in a respectful way
Ceremonial ItemsDrums:
The drum is a symbol of spiritual strength for the Mi'kmaq people. It represents the heartbeat of the people.
Cedar:Used for smudging in traditional ceremonies
Sage:Used for smudging
Tobacco:Used in burial ceremonies, pipe ceremonies and to send a message to people in your community to ask for help
Ceremonial ItemsRock:
Used in sweat lodge ceremony, the rock is being asked to give up it’s life
Eagle feather:Way of delivering a message to the CreatorHonor to receive and eagle featherEagle is the only creature to have touched the face of the creatorThrough the eagle, native people can identify and appreciate the Creator’s spirit among them
A Closer Look at a Pow WowA Pow Wow in Dartmouth:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=2R4Jie84Khs&feature=related