That's a line from a Sherman Alexie poem. I thought about it tonight when I was at the campgrounds for Go-Jii-Ya, the biggest celebration in the Jicarilla Apache year. I was hauling wood for a tipi fire. I was invited to help butcher a sheep. I was under a full moon in front of a pristine lake, watching Indians finish supper and get their kids ready for bed. It felt wrong to be there, but it felt more wrong to be absent. (I'm not trying to be an Indian, Sherman, really, I'm not.)
Here's some online info about the celebration, which goes on until Tuesday.
The annual Go-Jii-Ya feast is celebrated at Stone Lake, 18 miles south of Dulce. The feast originated hundreds of years ago when the two clans of the Jicarilla - Red Clan and White Clan - were still nomadic hunters and gatherers. Whenever they happened to meet, the Go-Jii-Ya was celebrated. The feast became a set date in the late 1800's after the Jicarilla were moved onto the reservation.
Teepees are set up and the cooking is done outdoors. Hospitality comes first and everyone is fed. Are you ready for buffalo/crawfish jambalaya? Photography NOT permitted. (http://www.ausbcomp.com/redman/jicarilla.htm)
Go-jii-ya is the tribal harvest festival where emphasis is placed on the participation of the young boys. It is derived from the story of the Jicarilla where there was race of all the animals and birds around the world. Today, there is a relay race which takes place at Stone Lake between the Llanero (Red Clan) and the Ollero (White Clan).
- Women and small children are not allowed in the Kiva and on the race track after it has been blessed on the 14th, because it is said that they affect the strength of the runners. Today, the Ollero allow their women to dance on the race track before the race. Llanero women dance only when the race is over.
- People who are not participating in the race are not to cross the race track after it has been blessed on the 14th.
- The losing clan is supposed to give fruit and vegetables after the race is completed.
- One should not throw the fruit and vegetables but give them in an appropriate manner.
- Spectators should give their support by yelling only. Clapping is not a traditional way to encourage runners.
- Jicarilla women take care of their camps and feed anyone who come to their camps. Giving and sharing are traditional values that are highly regarded. They are a sign of generosity.
- The Jicarilla people are a matrilineal tribe. This means that one follows his/her mother's side when it comes to traditional ways including clan.
- In the old days, women and young children were not allowed to attend the tryouts.
- Photos and recording devices are NOT PERMITTED. Only tribal members can take photos for their own use. (http://www.jicarilla.net/Protocols.htm#gojiiya).
No comments:
Post a Comment