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 ceremony. The special

things the do.A ceremony is a formal act or procedure

that is customary to a particular culture. Special events they hold.

Mi’kmaq Spirituality The Mi’kmaq believe that death is a part of

the cycle of life and that the souls of the dead go to a Spirit World where they are happy.

The Mi’kmaq believe that crying is inappropriate when a person is dying and should wait until the person has passed.

There is no concept of Hell in traditional Mi’kmaw beliefs.

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

Mi’kmaq Pow Wow

Pow wow is a tribal gathering to renew social and spiritual ties.

There are strict rules. Liquor or drugs are not allowed in the pow wow grounds.

Tobacco is offered to the spirits called by the drum and to the spirit of the drum itself.

A sacred fire is lit at the beginning of the pow wow and is not permitted to go out until the pow wow is over.

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

Sacred PipeThe sacred pipe is often called the “peace

pipe.”Often used during sweat lodge ceremonies,The pipe is broken into two pieces,

symbolizing a man and a woman.When the pieces of the pipe are joined—to

symbolize unity—it becomes a sacred part of the ceremony.

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

The Sweat Lodge

The sweat lodge is a place of spiritual communication and cleansing.

Entrance always faces eastThe spirits are brought in with the

‘grandfathers’, which are the stones which are heated in the fire

Splashing water on the grandfathers create steam

All four elements present: earth below, air around, fire in the grandfathers and water in the steam.

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