Verified Document

Waterlily By Ella Cara Deloria Term Paper

Throughout her life, Little Chief watches over her, protects her, and stands up for her. He is a good brother, and he also shows her what to look for in a good man, just as her stepfather does. They act as role models so she knows what to look for in a husband. Another very important relationship in the book is her relationship with Rainbow, her stepfather. He honors her often and never treats her like a stepchild. He is always kind to her, and because of his honor and his own respect in the community, she becomes a leading and respected member of the tribe. Other men might not have treated her as well or honored her so highly, so this is an extremely significant relationship for her throughout her life.

Waterlily is honored with a "hunka" ceremony, honoring her as a beloved child of Rainbow. Since Waterlily is not Rainbow's natural daughter, this is a great honor, which is why so much detail and effort goes into the celebration, from her magnificent dress to the feast served after the ceremony is complete. The author writes, "But the "hunka" obligation had been laid on her and it was a compelling thing. Its reward was high in prestige. The hairline stripes of red which she was thereafter privileged to wear were a sign of that" (Deloria 78). Thus, the ceremony is a great honor, but it is also an obligation that will carry into the future. In our society, there is little honoring of children; in fact, even a formal adoption may not be celebrated as heartily as Waterlily's "hunka" ceremony. Society today tends to ignore the youngest...

This honors his prowess as a hunter, but also recognizes his journey toward manhood and responsibility. In our culture, Bar Mitzvahs, Quinceneras, and sweet sixteen parties are similar celebrations, but they celebrate reaching a certain age, rather than actually maturing to the point of being able to provide food for the table. The Sioux system of honoring recognizes accomplishments that will matter later in life, while modern society tends to put more emphasis on reaching a certain age, rather than accomplishing life skills.
Another honor early is the book is the way the children honor the storyteller, Woyaka. They honor him by calling him "grandfather," which makes him a part of their family, and take him gifts of moccasins and such. Again, the Sioux are much more appreciative of age in their society, and of someone with special skills, such as storytelling.

This is an excellent look into Sioux, life, and it would be a good choice for any historian or cultural anthropologist looking for an intimate glimpse into how the Sioux lived, especially Sioux women. It showcases their hopes and dreams, along with the hard work that came with camp life.

References

Deloria, Ella Cara. Waterlily. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1988.

Sources used in this document:
References

Deloria, Ella Cara. Waterlily. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1988.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Ceremonies of King Louis the 14th
Words: 1316 Length: 4 Document Type: Research Paper

Ceremonies of King Louis XIV Marriage Ceremonies and King Louis XIV Marriage to Marguerite of Savoy Marguerite was the princess of Savoy; she was stunningly beautiful, with her big shimmering eyes, dark face and fairy like attire. She walked so gracefully that she barely touched the ground. Her reception was the most desired thing of all times, the king, queen and all the others at the court were dying to see her reception.

Ceremonies of Possession in Europe's Conquest of the New World 1492-1640...
Words: 1013 Length: 3 Document Type: Book Report

Ceremonies of Possession/Differences in How America Was Settled Patricia Seed in her book, Ceremonies of Possession, assumes a novel position in regard to the settlement of the New World by the various European powers. Seed's theory is that each of the five main nations involved in the settlement of the New World: England, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, did so in their own unique way and that these unique ways

Ceremonies in Samoa Coming of Age
Words: 2294 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

Margaret Mead and Coming of Age in Samoa Different aspects of culture define people over a period of time. It is only human nature that we see differences in culture and ourselves when thrown into a melting pot, a mix of multi-cultures in which we live today. One can only imagine what it must have been like for Margaret Mead as she traveled half way around the world in search of

Ceremonies And Rituals
Words: 2092 Length: 7 Document Type: Essay

Essay Topic Examples 1. The Role of Ceremonies in Indigenous Cultures:     Explore the significance of ceremonies and rituals in preserving the traditions and beliefs of indigenous people. Discuss how these practices serve as a means of passing down knowledge, customs, and values from generation to generation. 2. Marriage Ceremonies Around the World:     Analyze the various marriage ceremonies that exist across different cultures. Highlight the unique aspects, symbolic elements, and social significance of

Indigenous Peoples and Ceremony
Words: 2477 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

Ceremonies of the Pacific Northwest Coastal Indigenous Peoples People have been living along the Pacific Northwest Coast for more than 11,000 years, and while the tribes and nations that developed differed in their customs and cultures, they shared some common ceremonial practices including most especially those involving their most important beliefs and natural resources such as salmon and the white deer. This paper provides a description of the different types of

Leslie Silko Ceremony 1977
Words: 1801 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Leslie Silko's Ceremony is a highly informative and insightful work that offers a closer glimpse into the lives of Pueblo people and their culture. The author focuses on the various ceremonies and traditions that are considered essential for spiritual and physical healing in such traditional societies. The story revolves around the disease that Tayo has contracted during wartime and that appears to consume him completely. Through Tayo and two other

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now