Zitkala Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a remarkable Native American writer and activist who gave voice to the Sioux people and fought for their rights during the early 20th century. She was deeply influenced by her pagan ideology, which played a significant role in shaping her worldview and writing style. Zitkala Sa embraced her indigenous spirituality and saw it as a source of strength and resilience. She believed in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Her writings often featured vivid descriptions of the natural world and its significance in Native American culture. **One of the main themes in Zitkala Sa's work was the preservation of indigenous traditions in the face of colonization.
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In remote parts of the Highlands and of Western Ireland it used to be customary to provide cakes for the souls of the departed on All Hallows E en, that being the only night upon which they could speak and eat. As a quick disclaimer, be careful of leaving certain types of food in public areas like milk or chocolate which could rot or make some animals sick you might want to save this for your own backyard where you can keep an eye on it.
**One of the main themes in Zitkala Sa's work was the preservation of indigenous traditions in the face of colonization.** She wrote about the struggles and challenges faced by Native Americans as their land and way of life were eroded by the dominant white society. Through her stories, she sought to highlight the richness and beauty of Native American culture and the importance of preserving their traditions.
From the archive, 31 October 1906: Pagan origins of Halloween and Bonfire Night
Lovers of old customs lament the disappearance of the old customs associated with All Hallows' Eve, but it is forgotten that two of the chief pieces of ritual, the lighting of fires and the eating of cakes, have been transferred from October 31 to the 5th of November.
Long before the Gunpowder Plot affair, bonfires were lighted on the hilltops of Ireland and Scotland; Sir John Sinclair in his Statistical Account of Scotland, published in 1793, mentioned that in the Highlands bonfires used to be lighted and consecrated cakes baked on the 1st of November (the first day of winter), and also on the 1st of May (the first day of spring). In North Wales the autumnal fire was called Coel Coeth; it was accompanied by such ceremonies as leaping through the fire (as on St. John's Eve in Germany and other countries), throwing nuts in the fire, and biting at apples suspended from a string. One sometimes sees people leap across a half-consumed bonfire on the 5th of November, saying in excuse that it was an old custom.
Even the parkin and toffee of the 5th of November may be relics of the ceremonial cakes formerly offered - perhaps a symbol of sacrifice dating from pagan times. On All Hallows' Eve "soul-cakes," a kind of oatcake, used to be given to the poor in Catholic Lancashire, and Yorkshire parkin, a compound of oatmeal and treacle, is perhaps a development of the soul-cake. In parts of Yorkshire All Hallows' Eve is still called "cake night," and an old Halloween custom everywhere was "going a-soul-ing," or begging for soul-cakes. In remote parts of the Highlands and of Western Ireland it used to be customary to provide cakes for the souls of the departed on All Hallows' E'en, that being the only night upon which they could speak and eat.
During the week of Lammas is a time to reflect, have gratitude and give back to our beautiful Earth who offers so much; food, water, shelter, support, LIFE! And I’ll let you in on a little secret: when we truly experience gratitude for all that we have, the more abundant we become.
Zitkala Sa's pagan ideology also influenced her perspectives on women's rights and gender equality. In her essay "The Great Spirit of Gitchigumi," she criticized the patriarchal structures imposed by Western society and advocated for the empowerment of Native American women. She believed in the inherent power and strength of women and challenged the oppressive gender roles prevalent at the time. **Another significant aspect of Zitkala Sa's pagan ideology was her belief in the power of storytelling and oral tradition.** She understood the importance of passing down ancestral knowledge and wisdom through stories, songs, and ceremonies. She used her writing as a medium to reclaim and preserve the narratives of her people, ensuring that their voices would not be silenced or forgotten. In conclusion, Zitkala Sa's pagan ideology played a crucial role in shaping her writing and activism. Her deep connection to her indigenous spirituality and her belief in the preservation of Native American traditions were central themes in her work. By highlighting the struggles and resilience of her people, she sought to challenge the dominant narratives of colonization and empower Native Americans to reclaim their identity and heritage..
Reviews for "Paganism and Empowerment in Zitkala Sa's Stories of Native American Women"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "The Pagan Ideology of Zitkala Sa" to be highly offensive and disrespectful towards indigenous cultures. Sa's representation of pagan traditions and beliefs completely misrepresents them and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I believe it is important for authors to accurately portray cultures, and Sa's work fails to do so. Overall, I was deeply disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate exploring different belief systems, "The Pagan Ideology of Zitkala Sa" felt disjointed and confusing. The book lacked a clear structure and narrative, making it difficult to fully grasp the intended message. Additionally, I found some aspects of Sa's portrayal of pagan traditions to be overly romanticized and unrealistic. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and felt that it didn't effectively convey the intended themes.
3. David - 1/5 stars - I found "The Pagan Ideology of Zitkala Sa" to be deeply problematic and culturally insensitive. Sa's portrayal of paganism seemed to rely heavily on outdated stereotypes, and I felt that there was a lack of nuance and depth in her exploration of the topic. The book failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of pagan beliefs, and instead, perpetuated stereotypes and misconceptions. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an accurate representation of paganism.
4. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While I didn't particularly enjoy "The Pagan Ideology of Zitkala Sa," I can appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on pagan traditions. However, I felt that Sa's portrayal was overly simplified and lacked depth. It would have been beneficial for the book to provide more context and historical background in order to fully understand the significance of the pagan beliefs being discussed. Overall, I found the book to be average and would only recommend it to those with a strong interest in pagan ideologies.