Smithsonian Voices has been hearing about Native friends' Christmas preparations and customs for the past few years. We have added fresh quotations and images to this tale this year.
In Native cultures, there might be debate concerning the origins of Christmas and the spread of Christianity throughout the Americas. Native Americans' preexisting spiritual beliefs were purposefully supplanted with Bible-based ideas by Europeans. This indoctrination was frequently accompanied by cruelty and brutality. However, it is also true that certain families, tribes, and individuals willingly accepted the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. This is a reflection of this complex past.
Read Also: What are the top Christmas party outfit trends for 2024?
Observing Santa Claus
The gift-bearing tale of Santa was introduced to the United States by immigrants, much like many other holiday customs. Our Santa is a cross between the Dutch Sinterklaas, England's Father Christmas, and the Green Saint Nicholas. Many youngsters in the United States go to Santa for pictures and to give him their Christmas wishes. They then wait patiently (or not) for the big day, which is December 25, to see if their desires are fulfilled.
Setting out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve is a long-standing custom in many homes. Its exact roots are unknown, although like Santa himself, it could be a combination of customs taken from other nations or a dairy industry marketing gimmick. In any case, it's one way for children to express their gratitude to the large man in the red costume for making the rounds one night.
Native Americans have congregated in churches, missions, and temples around Indian Country to sing hymns and songs in their native tongues in observance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The account of Jesus' birth is told in native tongues in several churches. Additionally, some Native churches perform nativity plays that recreate the birth of Jesus Christ utilizing Native actors and settings. In Indian villages, Christmas Eve Mass for Catholics usually starts around midnight and lasts into the wee hours of the following day. Native American Church members also conduct Christmas services, which are rites that start on Christmas Eve and go all night until Christmas morning, in tipis, hogans, and homes.
Indigenous Christmas Music
Native Americans were converted, their religion was established, and they learned how to celebrate Christmas thanks in large part to music. The Huron-Wendat people's Wyandot language may have produced the first Christmas song in North America. It is stated orally that the Jesuit priest Jean de Brébeuf wrote "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, He is born") in 1643. It is sometimes referred to as Noël huron or the Huron Carol.
Christmas songs have been altered by traditional powwow singing groups in the modern day to appeal to Native audiences. Warscout's "NDN 12 Days of Christmas," from their album Red Christmas, is a funny example. Christmas classics in Native languages are frequently performed by Native solo performers. For instance, Jana Mashpee (Lumbee and Tuscarora) recorded "Winter Wonderland" in Ojibwe, while Rhonda Head (Cree) recorded "Oh Holy Night."
Native Americans were converted, their religion was established, and they learned how to celebrate Christmas thanks in large part to music. The Huron-Wendat people's Wyandot language may have produced the first Christmas song in North America. It is stated orally that the Jesuit priest Jean de Brébeuf wrote Jesous Ahatonhia ("Jesus, He is born") in 1643. It is sometimes referred to as Noël huron or the Huron Carol.
Christmas songs have been altered by traditional powwow singing groups in the modern day to appeal to Native audiences. Warscout's NDN 12 Days of Christmas from their album Red Christmas serves as a comical illustration. Christmas classics in Native languages are frequently performed by Native solo performers. For instance, Jana Mashpee (Lumbee and Tuscarora) recorded Winter Wonderland in Ojibwe, while Rhonda Head (Cree) recorded Oh Holy Night.
You May Also Like: What's the best way to add some sparkle to my Christmas outfit?
The Christmas tree's decoration
Adding lights and decorations to evergreen trees has its roots in the medieval custom of performing plays on Christmas Eve that narrated the narrative of Adam and Eve. These plays frequently included an apple-decorated "tree of paradise." The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City is televised live in the United States and is essentially a holiday in and of itself. Another popular event is the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, which is located close to the White House in Washington, D.C.
The first decorated Christmas tree was erected in 1747 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which bills itself as Christmas City USA and has an award-winning winter market. Tree-lighting rituals are held annually in hundreds of localities, including this one. A tree is not necessary: Because there aren't many trees in Chandler, Arizona, the town's Christmas tree is made up of hundreds of painted tumbleweeds.
On Christmas Eve and Day, Native groups celebrate with powwows, round dances, and traditional tribal dances. Special dances, including those of the buffalo, eagle, antelope, turtle, and harvest, are performed by Pueblo Indians in the Southwest. On Christmas Eve, the Eight Northern Pueblos of New Mexico participate in a pine-torch parade and a unique dance-drama called Los Matachines, which combines Pueblo, Spanish, and North African Moorish customs.
As they manufacture unique Christmas gift products, this is often the busiest time of year for Native craftsmen. Beadwork, woodwork, jewelry, apparel, basketry, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, leatherwork, and feather work are all produced by artists and artisans nationwide for public art fairs and special Christmas sales. For the last 17 years, a few weeks prior to Christmas, the National Museum of the American Indian has held its Native Art Market in New York and Washington.
Read Also: How many Christmas trees are in the Great Hall each year?
Traditions of Art
As they manufacture unique Christmas gift products, this is often the busiest time of year for Native craftsmen. Beadwork, woodwork, jewelry, apparel, basketry, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, leatherwork, and feather work are all produced by artists and artisans nationwide for public art fairs and special Christmas sales. The Native Art Market has been presented by the National Museum of the American Indian in New York and Washington a few weeks before to Christmas for the past eighteen years. Additionally, Native artists are increasingly selling their Christmas goods straight to consumers online.
On Christmas Eve and Day, Native groups celebrate with powwows, round dances, and traditional tribal dances. Special dances, including those of the buffalo, eagle, antelope, turtle, and harvest, are performed by Pueblo Indians in the Southwest. On Christmas Eve, the Eight Northern Pueblos of New Mexico participate in a pine-torch parade and a unique dance-drama called Los Matachines, which combines Pueblo, Spanish, and North African Moorish customs.
What is the menu for Christmas dinner?
Similarly, for this unique occasion, traditional Native meals are served. What springs to mind are the following: red and green chile stews, bread pudding, pueblo bread, piki bread, bannock (fry bread), tortillas, berries, roots, moose, venison, elk, mutton, duck, rabbit, wild rice, collards, squash, pine nuts, corn soup, and Native teas. Before Christmas, several Indian groups and tribes provide their elders and communities with Christmas meals. In order to provide their tribe people food and presents, churches, warrior societies, and tribal service groups visit senior communities, children's homes, and shelters.
Setting out a feast plate or spirit dish for departed loved ones is a common way for many tribes to start their Christmas meal. A prayer is spoken, and food offerings are put outside the house on a plate or in the holy fire for departed family members on this particular Christmas day of feasting. Allowing your remembrances—those who have passed away—to dine first is a respectful gesture. Many people are spending Christmas for the first time without a loved one.
How Indian Country's indigenous people celebrate Christmas
Approximately 71% of American Indians and Alaska Natives reside in or close to cities, and that percentage is rising, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute. To reconnect and strengthen tribal relationships, many urban Natives spend the Christmas season returning to their communities, relatives, and reservations. Like other Christians in America, they exchange gifts and eat large family feasts. As an alternative, some Native Americans utilize this time of year to commemorate the Winter Solstice via rituals and prayer instead of celebrating Christmas.
How are you going to spend Christmas? was the question we posed to our Native friends this year. Here are a few of their responses, followed by the places from which they were received:
Thomas Hardy
Smithsonian Voices has been hearing about Native friends' Christmas preparations and customs for the past few years. We have added fresh quotations and images to this tale this year.
In Native cultures, there might be debate concerning the origins of Christmas and the spread of Christianity throughout the Americas. Native Americans' preexisting spiritual beliefs were purposefully supplanted with Bible-based ideas by Europeans. This indoctrination was frequently accompanied by cruelty and brutality. However, it is also true that certain families, tribes, and individuals willingly accepted the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. This is a reflection of this complex past.
Read Also: What are the top Christmas party outfit trends for 2024?
Observing Santa Claus
The gift-bearing tale of Santa was introduced to the United States by immigrants, much like many other holiday customs. Our Santa is a cross between the Dutch Sinterklaas, England's Father Christmas, and the Green Saint Nicholas. Many youngsters in the United States go to Santa for pictures and to give him their Christmas wishes. They then wait patiently (or not) for the big day, which is December 25, to see if their desires are fulfilled.
Setting out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve is a long-standing custom in many homes. Its exact roots are unknown, although like Santa himself, it could be a combination of customs taken from other nations or a dairy industry marketing gimmick. In any case, it's one way for children to express their gratitude to the large man in the red costume for making the rounds one night.
Native Americans have congregated in churches, missions, and temples around Indian Country to sing hymns and songs in their native tongues in observance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The account of Jesus' birth is told in native tongues in several churches. Additionally, some Native churches perform nativity plays that recreate the birth of Jesus Christ utilizing Native actors and settings. In Indian villages, Christmas Eve Mass for Catholics usually starts around midnight and lasts into the wee hours of the following day. Native American Church members also conduct Christmas services, which are rites that start on Christmas Eve and go all night until Christmas morning, in tipis, hogans, and homes.
Indigenous Christmas Music
Native Americans were converted, their religion was established, and they learned how to celebrate Christmas thanks in large part to music. The Huron-Wendat people's Wyandot language may have produced the first Christmas song in North America. It is stated orally that the Jesuit priest Jean de Brébeuf wrote "Jesous Ahatonhia" ("Jesus, He is born") in 1643. It is sometimes referred to as Noël huron or the Huron Carol.
Christmas songs have been altered by traditional powwow singing groups in the modern day to appeal to Native audiences. Warscout's "NDN 12 Days of Christmas," from their album Red Christmas, is a funny example. Christmas classics in Native languages are frequently performed by Native solo performers. For instance, Jana Mashpee (Lumbee and Tuscarora) recorded "Winter Wonderland" in Ojibwe, while Rhonda Head (Cree) recorded "Oh Holy Night."
Native Americans were converted, their religion was established, and they learned how to celebrate Christmas thanks in large part to music. The Huron-Wendat people's Wyandot language may have produced the first Christmas song in North America. It is stated orally that the Jesuit priest Jean de Brébeuf wrote Jesous Ahatonhia ("Jesus, He is born") in 1643. It is sometimes referred to as Noël huron or the Huron Carol.
Christmas songs have been altered by traditional powwow singing groups in the modern day to appeal to Native audiences. Warscout's NDN 12 Days of Christmas from their album Red Christmas serves as a comical illustration. Christmas classics in Native languages are frequently performed by Native solo performers. For instance, Jana Mashpee (Lumbee and Tuscarora) recorded Winter Wonderland in Ojibwe, while Rhonda Head (Cree) recorded Oh Holy Night.
You May Also Like: What's the best way to add some sparkle to my Christmas outfit?
The Christmas tree's decoration
Adding lights and decorations to evergreen trees has its roots in the medieval custom of performing plays on Christmas Eve that narrated the narrative of Adam and Eve. These plays frequently included an apple-decorated "tree of paradise." The annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting in New York City is televised live in the United States and is essentially a holiday in and of itself. Another popular event is the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse, which is located close to the White House in Washington, D.C.
The first decorated Christmas tree was erected in 1747 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which bills itself as Christmas City USA and has an award-winning winter market. Tree-lighting rituals are held annually in hundreds of localities, including this one. A tree is not necessary: Because there aren't many trees in Chandler, Arizona, the town's Christmas tree is made up of hundreds of painted tumbleweeds.
On Christmas Eve and Day, Native groups celebrate with powwows, round dances, and traditional tribal dances. Special dances, including those of the buffalo, eagle, antelope, turtle, and harvest, are performed by Pueblo Indians in the Southwest. On Christmas Eve, the Eight Northern Pueblos of New Mexico participate in a pine-torch parade and a unique dance-drama called Los Matachines, which combines Pueblo, Spanish, and North African Moorish customs.
As they manufacture unique Christmas gift products, this is often the busiest time of year for Native craftsmen. Beadwork, woodwork, jewelry, apparel, basketry, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, leatherwork, and feather work are all produced by artists and artisans nationwide for public art fairs and special Christmas sales. For the last 17 years, a few weeks prior to Christmas, the National Museum of the American Indian has held its Native Art Market in New York and Washington.
Read Also: How many Christmas trees are in the Great Hall each year?
Traditions of Art
As they manufacture unique Christmas gift products, this is often the busiest time of year for Native craftsmen. Beadwork, woodwork, jewelry, apparel, basketry, ceramics, sculpture, paintings, leatherwork, and feather work are all produced by artists and artisans nationwide for public art fairs and special Christmas sales. The Native Art Market has been presented by the National Museum of the American Indian in New York and Washington a few weeks before to Christmas for the past eighteen years. Additionally, Native artists are increasingly selling their Christmas goods straight to consumers online.
On Christmas Eve and Day, Native groups celebrate with powwows, round dances, and traditional tribal dances. Special dances, including those of the buffalo, eagle, antelope, turtle, and harvest, are performed by Pueblo Indians in the Southwest. On Christmas Eve, the Eight Northern Pueblos of New Mexico participate in a pine-torch parade and a unique dance-drama called Los Matachines, which combines Pueblo, Spanish, and North African Moorish customs.
What is the menu for Christmas dinner?
Similarly, for this unique occasion, traditional Native meals are served. What springs to mind are the following: red and green chile stews, bread pudding, pueblo bread, piki bread, bannock (fry bread), tortillas, berries, roots, moose, venison, elk, mutton, duck, rabbit, wild rice, collards, squash, pine nuts, corn soup, and Native teas. Before Christmas, several Indian groups and tribes provide their elders and communities with Christmas meals. In order to provide their tribe people food and presents, churches, warrior societies, and tribal service groups visit senior communities, children's homes, and shelters.
Setting out a feast plate or spirit dish for departed loved ones is a common way for many tribes to start their Christmas meal. A prayer is spoken, and food offerings are put outside the house on a plate or in the holy fire for departed family members on this particular Christmas day of feasting. Allowing your remembrances—those who have passed away—to dine first is a respectful gesture. Many people are spending Christmas for the first time without a loved one.
How Indian Country's indigenous people celebrate Christmas
Approximately 71% of American Indians and Alaska Natives reside in or close to cities, and that percentage is rising, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute. To reconnect and strengthen tribal relationships, many urban Natives spend the Christmas season returning to their communities, relatives, and reservations. Like other Christians in America, they exchange gifts and eat large family feasts. As an alternative, some Native Americans utilize this time of year to commemorate the Winter Solstice via rituals and prayer instead of celebrating Christmas.
How are you going to spend Christmas? was the question we posed to our Native friends this year. Here are a few of their responses, followed by the places from which they were received: