First Nations
Culture and traditions
Beliefs and traditions were very important
Usually reflected a deep understanding and respect for nature
There stories, dances, songs, art and spiritual rituals had a great deal of meaning and symbolism to there culture
They believed that everything in the natural world has a spirit
Spiritual Beliefs
All First Nations believed that their values and traditions were gifts from the Creator
One of the most important teachings was that people should live in harmony with the natural world and all it contained
People gave thanks to everything in nature, that they depended for survival
These beliefs stressed Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty,and Truth helped people to live in a way that promotes harmony and balance with everyone and everything in creation.
Music
Music was a big part of their culture and traditions
Used for celebrations and ceremonies
Two different types of music that can be performed
1. Social (public)- it was music to be danced to and celebrate
They would use rattles and drums to perform
2.Private, ceremonial music – it was vocal songs with some percussion
It was used to mark occasions
Stories
• Elders would enjoy telling stories to the children
•There stories would be lessons about their values, beliefs and knowledge of the land
•Many myths and legends were told about the powerful animals and how nature depends on one another
•it would often show the creatures
And characters from these stories
Clothing
made their clothing
usually tunics, leggings and moccasins
Wore tanned animal skin
Wore moose, deer or caribou skin
Bone needles were used to sew the garments with sinew from the back or legs of a caribou, moose or deer.
In winter, people wore robes of fur for extra warmth
Any decorative touches on clothing came from nature
Maasai -located in Kenya and northen Tanzania
Culture and traditions
The maasai is strong believers in nature
they believe in 'amitu', which means 'to make peace’
maasai are monothesistic meaning they believe in is the existence of one and only one god called Enkai or Engai
Engai has a dual nature: Engai Narok (Black God) is benevolent, and Engai Nanyokie (Red God) is vengeful
Many Maasai have become Christian and some Muslim
Life Style
Traditional Maasai lifestyle centres around their cattle which is their primary source of food.
The measure of a man's wealth is in terms of cattle and children
For example a herd of 50 cattle is respectable, and the more children the better. A man who has plenty of one but not the other is considered to be poor
Over the years, many projects have begun to help Maasai tribal leaders find ways to preserve their traditions while also balancing the education needs of their children for the modern world.
Social Organization
the central unit of Maasai society is the age-set
Young boys are sent out with the calves and lambs
childhood for boys is mostly playtime, with the exception of ritual beatings to test courage and endurance
Girls are responsible for chores such as cooking and milking, skills which they learn from their mothers at an early age
When turned 15 the status of junior warrior is a painful circumcision
