Native American Church
The Native American Church, also known as Peyotism and Peyote Religion, is a syncretic Native American religion that teaches a combination of traditional Native American beliefs and elements of Christianity, especially pertaining to some of the Ten Commandments, with sacramental use of the entheogen peyote. The religion originated in the Oklahoma Territory in the late nineteenth century, after peyote was introduced to the southern Great Plains from Mexico. Today, it is the most widespread indigenous religion among Native Americans in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an estimated 300,000 adherents.
History
Historically, many denominations of mainstream Christianity attempted to convert Native Americans to Christianity in the Western Hemisphere. These efforts were partially successful, because the religious practices, including those of the Native American Church, of many Native American tribes reflect Christian creeds. Although conversion to Christianity was a slow process, the tenets of the Native American Church were more readily accepted.Originally formed in the Oklahoma Territory, the Native American Church is monotheistic, believing in a supreme being called the Great Spirit. It was officially created in 1918. The tenets of the Native American Church regard peyote as a sacred and holy sacrament and use it as a means to communicate with the Great Spirit, also referred to as the Creator.
Beliefs of the church
Disease and death are believed to be a result of an imbalance in the individual. Besides peyote, other sacred plants, prayer, and fasting are used to cure this imbalance. Use of peyote is never for recreational purposes and the hallucinogenic effects of the plant are considered spiritual visions. To most Native Americans, visions are a communion with the metaphysical. However, not every member experiences hallucinogenic effects during peyote rituals. The plant is meant to heal or fix social, personal, and communal problems. Members believe the plant is safe for children and pregnant women.Relationship to Christianity
Some Native Americans dislike the beliefs of Christianity because of the history between natives and European Christian groups. Missionaries' attempts to alter or remove aspects of American Natives' heritage and culture have left many unable to reconcile with Christianity. On the other hand, some members are comfortable with a syncretic spiritual way that combines their Indigenous ways with some aspects of Christianity. The church included Protestant characteristics in its formation.Sects and differing traditions
There are multiple sects or traditions, or "ways" within the Native American Church. Two main ones are the Half-Moon way and the Cross-fire way. The Half-Moon way was introduced in 1914 or 1924, by James Seymour, who was a part of the Winnebago tribe. There are multiple differences between the Cross-fire way and the Half-Moon way. In the Cross-fire way, a Bible is placed on an altar, baptism is practiced, and a minister is present. While in the Half-Moon way, no Bible is used, baptism is not practiced, and ministers are not present. Many Cross-fire adherents, such as the Dakota Cross-fire and Winnebago Cross-fire members, strongly oppose the use of tobacco and smoking in rituals and ceremonies. This seems to stem from the opposition at the time of many Protestant sects to the use of tobacco rather than being influenced by just one sect, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses. Historically, peyotists in the Winnebago and Wilson moon tribes preached in meetings, prophesied, and performed baptisms.Menomini Peyotism
Historically, Peyotism among the Menominee people is unique. Prayers were said in Menomini and ended with "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen", taken from the Trinitarian Baptismal Formula. Christian symbols were apparent in prayers, speeches, as well as paraphernalia. Catholicism was familiar, and many Catholic beliefs and practices were incorporated as a result of years of Catholic missionaries; however so, Protestantism has definitely had an influence.Differences in fireplaces
In the Native American Church, there are two main umbrella fireplaces that are conducted: the Half-Moon fireplace and the Cross-Fire fireplace.Half-Moon fireplace:
- Uses a half-moon shaped sand altar, the color of sand and size used varying between tribes
- Uses tobacco and corn-shucks during main sections of the service
- Coal design patterns differ from tribe to tribe during the service
- Staff is passed around the tipi during singing sections
- Main four ceremonial songs sung
- Uses a horseshoe shaped sand altar, with a corresponding mound outside of the tipi parallel to the firepit – to represent the "grave of Jesus Christ"
- No tobacco used
- Staff is placed upright in the ground and does not get passed around the ceremony during singing sections
- Bible sections are recited and used according to the family's prayer for the particular service
- Cross design within the coals to represent certain elements of Jesus Christ
- Mainly Christian peyote songs sung, with the main four ceremonial songs appended to the Cross-fire
National organizational structure
Within the United States, there are two main umbrella chapters of the Native American Church:- Native American Church of the United States – the original 1913 charter enabled in Oklahoma territory. All chapters with this designation have no blood quantum requirements to attend ceremonies and all races, generally, are welcome. Most tribes that adopted the NAC early have an original chapter enacted with this charter.
- Native American Church of North America – an offshoot that originates from the late 1960s, the NAC of North America only allows Native Americans with a blood quantum of 1/4 or more to attend. This is enforced by tribal police via checking Certificates of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood and NAC membership cards. While in the minority nationally, major community figures in the peyote world are actively involved and defend its decision to only allow Native Americans to attend.
Ceremony and roles
Followers of the Native American Church have differing ceremonies, celebrations, and ways of practicing their religion. For example, among the Lakota, the Cross-fire group uses the Bible for sermons, which the Half-Moon followers reject, even though they each teach a similar Christian morality. Ceremonies commonly last all night, beginning Saturday evening and ending early Sunday morning. Scripture reading, prayer, singing, and drumming are included. In general, the Native American Church believes in one supreme God, the Great Spirit, and the Trinity, which is represented by the three leaders present in Half-Moon rituals.Ceremonies are generally held in a tipi and services must be conducted by a priest, pastor, or elder, known as the Roadman. The Roadman is assisted by a Fireman, who cares for the holy fireplace, ensuring it burns consistently all night. The Roadman may use a prayer staff, a beaded and feathered gourd, a small drum, cedar, and his eagle feather to conduct services. The Roadman's wife or other female relative prepares four sacramental foods and the "second breakfast" that are part of the church services. Her part takes place very early, between 4:30 and 5:00 in the morning. The four sacramental foods are water, shredded beef or "sweet meat," corn mush, and a variety of berries. The sweet foods were added later to counterbalance the bitterness of the peyote consumed during the services. The second breakfast is like a typical American breakfast. It generally includes boiled eggs, toast, hash brown potatoes, coffee, and juice. This meal is served well after sunrise and just prior to the closing of the church services.
Church services are not regular Sunday occurrences but are conducted upon special request by a family, whether to celebrate a birthday, or hold a memorial or funeral service. Services begin at sundown on a Friday or Saturday evening and end at sunrise. Thus, a participant "sits up" all night, giving up a full night's rest as part of a small sacrifice to the Holy Spirit and Jesus.
The church service ends the following day with a feast for the whole community, attended by all the participating members who are wide awake due to peyote, a stimulant. They generally do not feel the need to sleep until late afternoon, particularly after the feast. The sponsoring family the gives gifts to the Roadman and all his helpers to show their deep appreciation for their work.
Common reasons for holding a service include the desire to cure illness, birthday celebrations, Christian holidays, school graduations, and other significant life events.
Music
Music during prayer services consists of the singer with his gourd rattle staff and the water-drummer with his water-drum. The singer sings four songs, concludes his set, and passes the staff, gourd, and drum to the next relative to sing.There are only two musical instruments used in an authentic Native American Church prayer service:
- Peyote gourd rattle – a gourd rattle made of wood, raw gourd shell, and sea stones used to sing peyote songs throughout the service. The wood is usually strong, hard-wood like Gabon ebony and Bodark to produce the appropriate tune for the rattle.
- Water drum – a metal drum filled with water and tied down with marbles/stones with an appropriate animal hide. When tied correctly, it produces a deep tone that can be manipulated with the thumb on the hide to change the sound as a relative is singing.
That being said, many tribes incorporate their own language into peyote songs, which will assign that particular song to one particular tribe, instead of it being represented in an intertribal way as a "straight" song.