Native american face paintings

Face paintings plays essential role in the culture of Native Americans. Of course, every tribe has its own face paint style, but main features are the same for the majority of them. Every paint has its own meaning, even the colors has their meanings. For example, red color usually symbolizes war, strength and blood.

Pipe ceromony of Native Americans

In fact, pipe ceremony has a sacred meaning in the culture of Native Americans. It is believed that physical and sacred worlds are connected at the time of the ceremony. Everything is important in the ceremony, from the pipe itself to the tobacco and smoke, which is used to connect the two worlds. It is important to emphasize that there is big variety of pipes, which differ by the purpose. For example, some of them are personal and the other are used only for big ceremonies.

Native American chants

As a key part of the music of Native Americans, chants are well-known for it's unique style, which can be recognized easily once you have heard it. In fact, they have always played an essential role in the culture of Native American tribes. Listening to chants is probably the best way to understand the spirituality and the wisdom of Native Americans. 

Native American drum solo

The traditional native American music is almost unimaginable without the sound of drums. Actually, it appears both in a semi instrumental compositions and solo. As a fact, the solo drum composition is usually accompanied with a singing.

Native American clothing

The traditional clothes of native Americans are easily recognizable by the style. Actually, they are usually include more than one color. The clothes are made from some natural materials and are designed in a very comfortable way.

Honoring Now & Then, Traditional Native American Wedding Vows

Native Americans enjoy a strong and rich cultural heritage that still permeates many parts of their everyday lives, and particularly of those special moments. Many young Native Americans want a ceremony that not only keeps with modern traditions and celebrations, but that also includes a connection to their heritage, to make their wedding a cultural event that honors both the present celebration and the past.

There are many online resources to find some traditional, or “modern traditional” blessings and vows that are individual to a tribe. Soon to be newlyweds who are Native American could talk to a local tribal council, or other resources to find something suitable. There are websites with long lists of ceremonies that do not seem to be solely for one group. Two of the most beautiful Native blessings are the Apache and the Cherokee, and example of each which follows:

Apache Blessing

“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.”

Cherokee Blessing

God in heaven above please protect the ones we love.
We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth - and ask for our marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons;
We honor fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts;
We honor wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms;
We honor water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love;
With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together.
Amen.

These are only two of many examples of what is available, and this is not just limited to Native Americans. There are Medieval ceremonies, old Celtic or Celtic Christian ceremonies. As more and more people become interested in their backgrounds, the demand for these traditional vows increase, and add a beauty, elegance, and tradition to the ceremony that all can admire.

Dave is the owner of http://ez-wedding-vows.info and http://original-wedding-vows.info websites providing information on wedding vows