Traditions of the Lenape Indians
- Lenape religion and mythology has a rich pantheon of deities and spirits.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
In Lenape mythology the world was created by the "Great Spirit", who fashioned the earth and wind into four quarters or directions, and formed spirits called Manitou or Manit'towuk to control natural phenomenon such as rain, thunder, light and protect mankind from monsters. During the 12-day annual ceremony, occurring in a specially built and designed structure called the "Big House", 12 painted faces are created to celebrate the 12 messengers of the Great Spirit. Dancing, chanting and drumming take place, and thanks is given for the protection and aid of the spirits. - Animals like the otter were worshipped by Lenape cults.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
According M. R. Harrington in an article published in "American Anthropologist" in 1913, the Lenape indians are animists who believe in the spiritual and prophetic powers of animals and animal spirits. One family of Lenape initiated an otter cult, and during the annual festival called "Feeding the Otter," one man dresses in an otter skin and offers others wisdom given to him in dreams by the otter spirit. A similar bear cult is celebrated every two years in a lodge, where parts of the bear are burned ceremoniously and offered for sacrifice. - Children were ushered into adulthood at specific ages.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
After a girl began to show the first signs of womanhood, tradition requires her to travel alone to a hut removed from the rest of the tribe. This journey was to be repeated every month during the girl's menstruation, at which time she cannot use utensils, eat food or enter a house. At the age of 10, boys are to be driven away from home by their parents without food, in hopes a spirit would offer the boy a dream or vision out of sympathy. Boys learn to hunt, remember the names of trees and herbs, and are instructed in warfare by their elders. - Spirits of the dead are believed to linger for 12 days after death.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
On the night following the death of a Lenape Indian, two shots are fired towards the west of their home to frighten away ghosts of the dead. Throughout the night songs and games are played around the body of the dead, and two more shots are fired at dawn. It was at this point that plans for the funeral and burial are made. A shallow grave is dug, and the body dressed in fine clothes and with a painted face is buried along with some possessions. The spirit of the deceased is believed to hover for 12 days, at which point it departs and makes way for heaven.
