This is what the black elk said. It is the most popular historical and cultural book in America in the 20th century. It shows the Indian world outlook and their mental state. When modern people are trapped in the material world, such a mental book tells us the other side of human beings, that is, our neglected inner world.
Black elk is a witch doctor of Indian tribe. He described the visions he saw when he was a child and the enlightenment they brought to him and his people. The spiritual world revealed by those visions has brought infinite power to their real life.
"What I want to say is a story about all beings. This is a sacred and beautiful story, which is worth telling. It is a story that we humans who walk on two feet should share with animals running on all fours, birds flying with wings, and all the grass and trees. "
When the black elk was seriously ill as a child, he saw a great illusion and gave it to him to lead his people. Can we believe those visions? Like dreams? Most people scoff at the idea. But does it matter whether the illusion is true or not? If it brings positive power to people, what do we blame it for?
"But if this illusion is real and powerful, as I know, it is real and powerful; Because these are spiritual things, but people have blinded their eyes and lost themselves in this darkness. "
The world view of any ancient nation is a grand history of the universe, with the unity of man and nature and animism. When you have awe of heaven and earth, you will face up to your own smallness. The universe depicted by the black elk is as fascinating as Indian mythology and China mythology.
"The four ribbons hanging on the tobacco rod symbolize the four directions of the universe. The black ribbon symbolizes the west, where the god of thunder and lightning lives and brings us rain; The white ribbon symbolizes the north, where the white purified wind blows; The red ribbon symbolizes the east, and the light sprouts from now on, and the stars live here, giving human wisdom; The yellow ribbon symbolizes the south, and the power of summer and the growth of everything come from the south. "
Symbols are everywhere around us, and they represent more of a rule, such as those in traffic tests. There is also a story behind it, and there are profound meanings in the picture, such as the Olympic rings, such as the national flags of various countries. The sacred things of ancient nations are inseparable from their world outlook, and the meaning contained in them is much deeper than we thought. Rich associations make every action in daily life sacred.
"And on this cigarette holder, it is a piece of wild cowhide, representing the mother earth. Like all animals and birds, flowers and trees, we were born from this and sucked in this mother's arms like babies all our lives. Because of these meanings and many others that no one can understand, this pipe is extremely sacred. "
Many religions have a ritual of praying before meals. Is it to show respect for "God"? What is the essence of life? Campbell believes that the essence of life is to eat other life. Those ancient peoples have great respect for the animals that they sacrificed their lives to eat. Without their dedication, there would be no survival of their own.
"An elder filled a sacred pipe with a willow bark-made chasha, and then put it on a bison cigarette holder in front of him. Because bison are sacred, bison give us food and shelter."
This book records many ceremonies attended by black elk. Whether in Durkheim's sociological works or Campbell's comparative myth monograph, ceremony is very important to the cohesion of ethnic groups, and spirit and reality are linked through ceremony.
"Power comes from understanding. If you understand the meaning of the ceremony, you can gain strength from it, because everything can live happily only if it lives and moves according to the sacred power of the world."
Every detail of every ceremony is meaningful. I wonder how they came up with these ideas. In contrast, our creativity seems to be somewhat degraded when training ourselves, especially for boys, and Indians take great pains.
"We will also practice patience. Presbyterian church will put dried sunflower seeds on our wrists and light one end. We will let these seeds burn clean until they burn our skin. This will hurt and cause ulcers, but if we knock down the seeds or say,' Ah!' You will be laughed at as a woman. "
Don't think the last sentence is unfriendly to women. Indians have great respect for women. Their dance revolves around women and is intended to protect them. The yellow masks on their faces mean that men are created by women. Every detail in the ritual dance has a reason, and even the hairstyle reflects their way of looking at the world.
"... we shaved off the hair on the right and combed the long hair on the left. Although we look funny like this, it actually has its significance: because, in this way, when we look at the place we are facing (the south), the exposed side will face the west, so as to show humility in front of Raytheon who gave us strength. "
The black elk has experienced wars between clansmen and outsiders all his life, and is a witness to the tide of national change. When its territory was plundered, its living habits were forcibly changed, and its national culture could not be continued, everyone inside was very sad. The fracture of the national roots is painful and confusing.
"You should have noticed that what Indians do is round, because the divine power of the world always works in the circle, and everything is trying to be round ... the sky is round. I also heard that the earth is as round as a ball, and so are the stars. The most powerful wind is spinning; The nests built by birds are round, because they have the same beliefs as us; The trajectory of the sun rising and setting is round, and so is the moon. The sun and the moon are also round. Even the change of the four seasons is a big cycle, and each season will always return to its original place; Life is also a constant cycle from children to children, and so is everything with power everywhere. Our tents, like bird's nests, are all round, and our villages are always scattered in a round shape, becoming the ring of nations and the nest of many nests. This is how the great Holy Spirit allows us to conceive our children and grandchildren.
However, those vassichu drove us into these square boxes. Our strength has disappeared, and without it, we are on the verge of death. When we live in our own way under the power of the circle, boys grow up at the age of twelve or thirteen, but now it takes longer to mature. "
After reading these words, I was very moved. Their understanding of the world and their connection with the universe are clear and emotional. I don't remember how many words I have read about the various meanings of a circle. It is the best person in many ancient cultures to experience the power of harmony and perfection, and so are Indians. When forced to live in a square house on a reservation, it is nothing for outsiders to come, and even the living conditions are better, but for Indians, this is the moment of cultural collapse.
The old black elk told the visitor Neihardt about his life and those visions. Neihardt recorded them and showed such a fascinating spiritual world to people all over the world. Even with the power given by magic, it still can't change the fate of the people. That kind of regret is impressive.
"The black elk pointed to the looming Hani Peak in the distant sky and said,' When I was a child, it was there that I was brought into the dreamland by the Holy Spirit and brought to the center of the earth to show me all the beautiful things in the sacred ring of the world.' "
"Oh, great Holy Spirit, great Holy Spirit, my ancestors, my eyes are full of tears at the moment. I want to tell you that the holy tree has never blossomed. Standing here, I am a poor old man. I entrusted myself with nothing. "
"Sad I send out a weak voice, oh, six sages of the world, please listen to my sad voice, maybe this will be my last call. Oh, please let my nation live! "
If you have negative trust, you will accomplish nothing. Touching. Therefore, at the end of his life, the black elk told the recorder about the dreamland he saw and the power it gave him. Such a book has brought the cultural soul of the Indian nation to the whole world, which exudes charm among readers and brings more and more people to the inner world that has been neglected for a long time.
As John G. Neihardt wrote in the postscript, "Although I have known about Indian consciousness and culture for more than 30 years, the inner world of the black elk that day made me feel both magical and wonderful."