Mohawk nation
Mohawk Nation wedding ceremonies are conducted by a chief since the chief holds the sanction to perform the greatest rituals before the Creator, and in a marriage the couple vow their commitment before the Creator. The marrying man and woman then unite in a lifelong relationship, and there is not any custom for divorce. This is not held as a punishment however; the Mohawk Nation people are a matrilineal society and hold marriage as a great commitment which should be nurtured and respected. Much respect is given to the woman by her husband because the woman is the head of the household.
The marriage ceremony includes a day of celebration for the man and woman, a formal oration by the chief of the woman's nation and clan, community dancing and feast, and gifts of respect and honour by community members. Traditionally these gifts were realistic in nature with which the couple would use in their everyday religious and working lives.
As clothing the man and woman wore white rabbit leathers and furs with personal adornments usually made by their families so as to stand apart from the rest of the communities traditional style of dress during the ceremony. The "Rabbit Dance Song" and other social dance songs were sung by the men, where they used gourd rattles and later cow-horn rattles, as well as a "Water Drum" in which other well-wishing couples participated in the dance with the couple. The meal would commence after the ceremony and everyone who participated would eat.
Today the marriage ceremony may follow that of the old tradition or incorporate newer methods, but it is still used by many Mohawk Nation marrying couples. In addition there are still couples who have chosen to marry in the European manner, as well as in the Longhouse manner, with the longhouse ceremony usually being held first.[4]
The Canadian and U.S. government however still consider the centuries old Mohawk Marriage Ceremony to be non-existent in its rights and will not sanctify a marriage license based upon a marriage that took place in a Mohawk Wedding Ceremony by a chief. If the ceremony takes place in a chapel conducted by a Justice of the Peace, it can be recognized by the state.
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Notable Mohawks
- Joseph Brant
- Molly Brant
- John Deseronto
- Pauline Johnson, writer
- August Schellenberg, actor
- Jay Silverheels, actor
- Billy Two Rivers, professional athlete
- Michael Martelle, professional athlete
- Ots-Toch
- Alan Hagedon
- Taiaiake Alfred
- Robbie Robertson, guitarist
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See also
- Oka Crisis
- Iroquois Confederacy
- The Kahnawake Iroquois and the Rebellions of 1837-38
- Mohawk language
- African Americans with Native Heritage
- Native American tribe
- Native Americans in the United States
- The Flying Head
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Notes
- ^ Campbell, Lyle (1997). American Indian Languages: The Historical Linguistics of Native America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pg. 401
- ^ Mohawk. Dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-29.
- ^ see C. 590 of the Laws of 2004
- ^ Anne Marie Shimony, "Conservatism among the Iroquois at Six Nations Reserve", 1961
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References
- Snow, Dean R. (1994). The Iroquois. Boston: Blackwell Publishers. ISBN 1-557-86938-3.
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External links
- Mohawk Creation Story
- "Tsiionhiakwatha archaeological site and interpretation centre".
- "Mohawk Institute", Geronimo Henry
- Hodenasaunee Clothing and other Cultural Items
- The Wampum Chronicles: Mohawk Territory on the Internet, a website dedicated to Mohawk history, culture, and current events
- Iroquois Book of Rites
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