The Peace Pipe

In order to understand the Native Americans as a people, you must first understand something about the Native American culture, traditions, and beliefs. Throughout history, white historians have implied that Native Americans have little to say. Actually, the Native Americans pass the legends of their heritage orally from one generation to the next. Creeds were memorized by the elders and passed on to the next generation teaching them the history, codes of conduct and traditions of their people. In addition, every father was the teacher of his sons and mothers the teacher of their daughters.

Once looked upon as a savage people, the Native Americans have always held a great respect for Mother Earth and had lived harmoniously with nature for thousands of years before the New World became colonized.  They strongly believe that each individual is here for a special reason and should assume a spiritual path in fulfillment of that reason.  Here is a look at the most sacred ritual of Native Americans.

The Pipe Ceremony

While most of us have heard reference to “the peace pipe” and the role it played in relations between Native Americans and the European settlers, few understand the significance it held. The sacred ceremony of the pipe is a ritual for connecting physical and spiritual worlds. As a link between earth and sky, nothing is considered more sacred. There is great symbolism in the pipe ceremony. The pipe itself represents the peoples prayers in physical form. The smoke symbolizes the words of the people as it spreads to touch everything, becoming a part of all that is. The fire in the pipe symbolizes the sun, which is considered the source of life. The tobacco used in the pipe is the connection of earth to sky, as the plant roots have come from deep within the earth and the smoke they make rises high into the heavens. Variations in the type of tobacco used vary according to tribal custom. 

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During the pipe ceremony, offerings are made to the four directions, as drums play and sacred songs are sung. The significance of the pipe ceremony is to call upon and offer thanks to the six energies; the four directions, earth and sky, and the Great Spirit. The reason the historical “peace pipe” was smoked following the signing of a treaty is that the Indians believed that smoking the pipe would secure the agreement. It was inconceivable that an Indian would break his word after participating in this sacred ritual since the smoke had carried his word to the Creator.  When the sacred pipe was assembled, bowl connected to stem, it was addressed as a living being. It is a spiritual instrument.

Misuse of the Pipe

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As we know, treaties that had been sealed by the pipe ceremony were broken by the United States government. Native Americans believe that through this misuse of the sacred pipe, the benefits achieved through deception will be short lived.  The Native Americans believe that Nature is divine. They do not wish to control or own it. They are a part of it. This is in direct conflict with western beliefs and practices. As the white man industrialized the sacred earth, practice of ceremonies by Native Americans were prohibited by law until the passage of the Indian Freedom Act in 1978. As Indians became Americanized by the government, many of the traditions and practices were lost or forgotten. Again, this was a people who had passed their history on orally.  The few that do remember, also remember how they had been forced to keep silent for so long by a dominant government. Some are reluctant to share. How sad. It seems as though we could learn a lot from this continent’s first inhabitants.