The Native American Anasazi Indians

The Native American Anasazi Indians, the most studied prehistoric Native American culture in the Southwest, once inhabited Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

The Anasazi (pronounced ah-nah-SAH-zee) were a prehistoric tribe of Native Americans that lived in the Four Corners area of the southwest United States, encompassing what is now northern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, southern Utah and southwestern Colorado. The Anasazi, who inhabited this area from about 200 to 1300 AD, descended from a prehistoric group of nomadic hunter-gatherers, dubbed the “Clovis” people, who hunted many animals such as mammoth, bear and rabbit, possibly the first to migrate to the continent. It has been accepted that humans first came to North America around 10,000 years ago, but new sites found on the American continents suggests a date twice that old. At about 1000 BC, some of the nomads began to form permanent settlements and soon came the birth of the Anasazi culture.

Two hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Anasazi began cultivating maize. Horticulture became increasingly important in the growing Anasazi culture and at 1200, the cultivation of maize, squash and beans had become a major food source, possibly more important than hunting. Due to the harsh environments of the deserts the Anasazi inhabited, much of their time was invested in feeding themselves. Agriculture was no easy feat for the Anasazi, rainfall came sporadically between draughts, some of which lasted for years. Most of the wild game in the area were small and thus hard to catch, so the men spent much of the day hunting for meat. The women also labored, weaving cloth by hand and grinding maize into flour with stones. Examinations of the remains of the skeletons of many elderly Anasazi women show severe arthritis caused by constant bending, kneeling and grinding

The Pawnee Indians

Find out about the customs, culture and history of the Pawnees.

The Pawnee Nation had existed in relative peace and tranquillity in the wilds of Nebraska for hundreds of years prior to the arrival of the white man. At their peak they numbered about 10,000 people. The nation was divided into four distinct bands: the Chaui, the Kitikahki, the Petahauirita and the Skidi. The bands lived as independent units.

Around 1850 the Pawnee nation had been decimated by an outbreak of smallpox and cholera. By the dawn of the 20th Century the total number of Pawnees totalled no more than 600.

The Pawnee lived in dome shaped huts. These homes were covered with earth and had a central pit for a fire. The buildings were up to 15 feet in height. Often extended families would cohabit together in large huts. The villages would be situated along a river. The advent of the horse allowed the farming Pawnees to chase the buffalo. When the people were on the buffalo hunt they would live in tipis. Tipis were large, with about 11 lodge poles. They could house up to 18 people. The tipi had a smoke hole for cooking.

Information on the Zuni Indian tribe

Learn about the culture, the history, the way of life and the current situation of these ancient people.The Zuni are an Indian tribe who reside on the Arizona / New Mexico border, along the Zuni River. Physical evidence of permanent dwellings date their existence in the region back as far as 700 C.E. Their first encounter with the white man came in 1540 when the Spanish met up with these people. At the time the Zuni – who refer to themselves as Ashiwi – were living in six separate villages.

The life for these agricultural people revolves around their religious beliefs. They have a cycle of religious ceremonies which takes precedence over all else. Their religious beliefs are centered around the three most powerful deities – Earth Mother, Sun Father and Moonlight-Giving Mother. The Sun is especially worshipped. In fact the Zuni words for daylight and life are the same word. The Sun is, therefore, seen as the giver of life. Each person’s life is marked by important ceremonies to celebrate their coming to certain milestones in their existence. Birth, coming of age, marriage and death are especially celebrated.

The Sauk and Fox Indians

Learn about the culture, history and way of life of these native American peoples.

The origins of the Sauk and Fox nation can be traced to the St. Lawrence Seaway in north eastern Canada. With the coming of the white man, coupled with invasions from the Hurons and other native tribes, however, they were forced to move to modern day Wisconsin. They settled in the village of Saukenak, meaning ‘River of the Rock.’ Here they built homes and planted fields of corn, beans, squash and pumpkins. They found the soil here rich and conducive to the growing of their crops. In this valley could be found a plentiful supply of game, with everything from deer and bison to small game. The streams were also teaming with fish and beaver.

When the Sauk first encountered the French in the mid 1600’s they numbered about 6,500 people. The Fox at the same time numbered about 5000 people. At this time, however, both tribes had endured inter tribal warfare for over a hundred years, as well as a number of epidemics. Today there are three Federally recognised Sauk and Fox tribes: the Sauk and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi number about 1,100. The Sauk and Fox Tribe of Missouri numbers about 400 and the Sauk and Fox Tribe of Indians (Oklahoma) has about 2,200 members.

The Fox became bitter enemies of the French. Even though the French were to enjoy peacable relations with all of the other Algonquin tribes, the Fox were antagonistic from their very first encounter. By about 1730 their numbers had been all but wiped out in fierce warfare with the French. Survivors joined with the Sauk and from then on they became the Sauk and Fox Nation.

Who were the Kiowa Indian tribe?

Learn about the cultire, history, way of life and current situation of this ancient people.

The Kiowa Indians were originally dwellers of the Columbia River in the Kootenay Region of British Columbia, Canada. Their first interaction with the white man came in about 1700, when British and French traders happened upon them. Around 1700 the Kiowa moved to the Upper Yellowstone, in what is now western Montana. Shortly thereafter a dispute between two prominent chiefs resulted in one band withdrawing from the main body and going to the northwest.

The main body of Kiowa traveled to the southeast, where they came into contact with the Crow Indians. Forming an alliance with the Crow, the Kiowa acquired two things that were to become indispensable in the future life – the horse and the sacred Sun Dance. The Kiowa settled to the east of the Crow in the Black Hills around 1780. The Kiowa, however, were a migratory people. After a time they continued to move through the Western States. They ended up on the southern plains and became allies to the Comanche.

Like most Native American peoples the Kiowa were deeply religious. After acquiring the Sun Dance from the Crows, this ceremony became the center of their worship. The Sun Dance was celebrated once per year. It would bring together all of the Kiowa people, who, up until then, would live in small autonomous bands. The Sun Dance, then, served as the catalyst for an annual renewal of tribal connections. It would be accompanied by marriage ceremonies, tribal councils and family reunions. The Sun Dance would be preceded by a great tribal bison hunt.

Discover africa

Africa is the second largest continent in the world with over 500 million people.
Africa is the second largest continent in the world with Asia being the largest. Africa contains many countries with warm sunshine, green trees, blooming flowers, ravishing landscapes, and some of the world's most beautiful animals. Africa is made up of large deserts, wild jungles, and boundless grasslands. Did you know that Africa covers one-fifth of the earth's land surface?

How Big is Africa?
Africa is over three times the size of the United States and has twice the people. From north to south, it stretches about 5,000 miles long. Africa is located south of Europe and the Middle East with its northern coast lying on the Mediterranean Sea. To the east of the continent lies the Indian Ocean and to the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. The equator passes through Africa just south of its middle.

Who Lives in Africa?
Three out of four people living in Africa are black, but there are also many Arabs, Asians, Europeans, and mixed races. But Africa is not without problems, and its people rank among the poorest in the world. Many of the people are starving; thus, there are thousands of deaths each year.

African mask symbolism

African masks are unique to each tribe and their shape and accessories have special meanings for the different cultures.

Masks have been used by the world's diverse cultures for centuries. The ancient Greek actors used masks for special theatrical representations. Eighteenth century Europeans frequented masked balls where the masks were elaborately decorated with beads and feathers. The Chinese still use masks in their traditional dances. African cultures have perhaps the richest mask traditions. In African societies masks are used for funeral ceremonies and harvest dances. They figure prominently in the right of passages for young men, and have become a source of pride in modern-day celebrations. Masks are unique to each specific African society and their shape and accessories have special meanings for the different cultures.

One of the most abundant types of masks among African cultures is the animal representation. Animal masks connect people with the spirit world that traditional African beliefs say inhabit the forests and open savannas. The Bwa and Nuna people of Burkina Faso call on the spirits to ward off destruction. Crocodiles, hawks and buffalo are the most frequently carved animal masks. Masked dances are held on market day, during initiations and at funerals to honor the spirits and evoke their blessings. The Nuna hawk mask carvers used an animal-like snout to distinguish it from the hawk mask of the nearby Bwa, who use a distinctly rounded mouth. The wings of both are carved with geometric patterns to represent moral principles. The zigzag lines refer to the often-difficult path of their ancestors. The checkerboard patterns show the forces of polar opposites such as light and dark, knowledge and ignorance, and men and women.

Marriage tradition in africa: lobola

Lobola is a century-old tradition, still common throughout Africa. This system requires that a price be paid for the right to marry a women. This practice is still used extensively in contemporary African society and has raised both critical and supportive voices.

Lobola is an age-old African custom that is as alive today as it was 100 years ago. Both the families of the bride and groom would be scandalized if they did not adhere to this custom. On the surface, Lobola is a complex and very formal process of negotiation between the two families to come to a mutual agreement of the price that the groom has to pay in order to marry the bride. This may seem like a purchase and a sale, but this custom is the very opposite of a commercial transaction.

What makes Lobola so important for marriage is that it is based on a process that brings the two families together. Mutual respect and dignity are woven into the process, and the love between the man and woman is expanded to include the immediate and extended families. But, like all traditional customs, it is open to abuse and distortion in the modern world.

Women's initiation rites in Africa

African female initiation ceremonies are rites of passage for girls entering womanhood, and are usually a public annoucement of the girl's eligibility for marriage.

Nearly every culture in the world ritualizes the important milestones throughout life. Birth, marriage and death are typically marked by special ceremonies. The final passage from childhood to adulthood also figures prominently among various ethnic groups worldwide. Hispanic cultures have quincineras for their daughters. Jews hold Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs for their children. And in America we celebrate with Sweet Sixteen parties.

In Africa, initiation ceremonies are rooted in deep, conservative traditions. For African females, ceremonies marking their entry into the realm of adults are also a public announcement to the community that she is ready to be married. African life revolves around the family and therefore female African initiation ceremonies tend to focus heavily on the preparation of young girls to be good wives and excellent mothers.

Young girls from the Krobo ethnic group, which is dispersed across Ghana, perform the Dipo ceremony. The official ceremony lasts about five days, but pre-ritual preparation requires three weeks. The mother of a young girl selects a ‘ritual mother’ for her daughter. Like a favored aunt, the ritual mother prepares the young girl for her future role as a wife and mother. The young girl learns the art of cooking and household management (a skill she’s been performing beside her own mother since she could walk), music, dance and beautification. The girl is encouraged to leave behind her jaunty, carefree childhood ways and adopt the stature of a woman full of dignity and grace.

Kwanza tablescapes

Kwanzaa, a seven day event beginning on December 26th, is a culturally diverse, fun and family-oriented celebration. Use some of these easy and inexpensive home decor and tablescape ideas to represent, teach and spice up your home for the occassion.

Kwanzaa, a seven-day event beginning on December 26th, is a holiday being celebrated by a growing number of cultures. Influenced by traditional African harvest festivals, meaning “first fruits,” it is a celebration of community, culture and family. Each day of the celebration symbolize the seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, (1) Umoja (unity), (2) Kujichagulia (self-determination), (3) Ujima (collective work and responsibility), (4) Ujamaa (cooperative economics), (5) Nia (purpose), (6) Kuumba (creativity) and (7) Imani (faith). A time for family and fun, it is also a time for remembrance, and reflection upon one’s purpose and the values considered ideal for one's community.

Whether celebrating for the first time or the tenth time, Kwanzaa symbolism and celebrations can be represented with home décor most likely with products on hand. Try a few of these ideas to dress up your home.

Traditional Kwanzaa colors and their symbolism are: Black, symbolizing the African-American people; Red, representing struggle; and green, which symbolizes hope for a better future. When decorating with fabrics and accessories think along these color lines.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are usually represented by a Kinara, a long, candleholder for seven candles. Three green and three red candles are placed on each side of a single black candle and lit alternately each day during the celebration. Many times, young crafters create the candles with home dipping kits to learn and have fun with the principles of Kwanzaa.

Place a straw place mat on a tabletop and center the Kinara, add baskets or bowls filled with vegetable and fruit or dried ears of corn to emphasize the relationship of Kwanzaa with the African harvest. Since family and remembrance play an important role to the celebration, add photographs of loved ones past and present to the table or throughout the house.

A child just learning about Kwanzaa would be thrilled with a nightstand decorated with a black, red or green tablecloth and a holiday figurine dressed in Afro-centric clothing. Decorate a small tabletop tree with black and gold, the colors of Africa and small African ornaments such as masks or animals.

Create a “Purpose Board” in an entryway or on a hallway table. Hang a blank corkboard on the wall and provide slips of paper, blank and gold markers and thumbtacks. As each person passes the “Purpose Board” have them write a note representing their own purpose such as, “make someone smile today,” “inspire someone younger today,” “not make my sister cry today.”

For dinner décor ideas, line a large basket with red, black and green napkins before serving bread or rolls. Wrap silverware in napkins adding a ring of beads for a special presentation at the table. Or, try coordinating a table setting such as a black placement, topped with a red plate and a green wine or water glass.

A simple draping of fabric in the symbolic colors over the windows, over a chair or used as pillows will add color and holiday dressings without too much expense or effort.

Ribbon cascading from the back of dining room chairs, chandeliers, drawer pulls or wrapped around towels will add a Kwanzaa reminder throughout the house.

The emphasis is family, from the roots of the tree to the new buds and the purpose the tree plays. Enjoy, have fun together and throughout the learning process.