While most of us were ogling the solar eclipse today, members of several Native American tribes, including Navajo and Hualapai did not participate. These tribes regard the sun and the moon as deities and thus some see an eclipse as a bad omen or a powerful negative energy. Others simply consider it rude to gawk at nature while it is going about its business. Baje Whitethorne Sr., a member of the Navajo tribe says: "It was just the respect and honor you
give to what nature does...The sun is reborn, and in
acknowledging what nature does, you take a minute to acknowledge
yourself." Do you think this Native American tradition is admirable, or is it a shame that tribe-members miss out on a rare event because of archaic beliefs?Sunday, May 20, 2012
Native Americans Don't Watch Solar Eclipses
While most of us were ogling the solar eclipse today, members of several Native American tribes, including Navajo and Hualapai did not participate. These tribes regard the sun and the moon as deities and thus some see an eclipse as a bad omen or a powerful negative energy. Others simply consider it rude to gawk at nature while it is going about its business. Baje Whitethorne Sr., a member of the Navajo tribe says: "It was just the respect and honor you
give to what nature does...The sun is reborn, and in
acknowledging what nature does, you take a minute to acknowledge
yourself." Do you think this Native American tradition is admirable, or is it a shame that tribe-members miss out on a rare event because of archaic beliefs?
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7 comments:
I think people of different cultural and spiritual beliefs are certainly entitled to their own opinions. These tribal Americans’ practice of regarding the sun and moon as deities is comparable to our own devotion to our religious beliefs. Although I myself do not find the practice “admirable” – I think that such an interesting natural phenomena is both aesthetically pleasing and scientifically astounding – I certainly respect the fact that these people choose not to participate in our “gawk[ing] at nature” (our ogling doesn’t do any good to nature itself). However, we must also keep in mind that not all native Americans share this same belief – mostly those in tribal cultures, such as the Navajos, hold such a belief.
I agree with Rebecca everyone has their own opinions and shouldn't be judged by them. Us Americans thought the Eclipse was amazing and fascinating. Many gathered to see it and shared what an amazing thing it was. But the tribal Americans practice was to regard it. We shouldn't be upset. Many Americans chose to regard it and we didn't even notice. So we should not be ashamed with the tribal Americans for regarding it.
I agree with both comments. I for one completely forgot that there was a solar eclipse today and as a result did not see it. If tribes like the Navajo choose not to look at it due to a religious belief, then that is up to them. It is just like some religions aren't allowed to eat certain foods. Like Rebecca said, it isn't really admirable that they do this, but to be honest, they aren't necessarily missing out either.
Although religious beliefs may prevent members of the Navajo tribe from acknowledging this natural phenomena, the sight of a solar eclipse is much too exciting and rare to be ignored, in my opinion. However I agree with Rebecca when saying that everyone is allowed to follow their own beliefs/opinions. It is somewhat disappointing that certain tribes view the eclipse as a negative force. But in the end, whether they are "missing out" or not, what matters most is that everyone is happy.
Uhhh, yeah. I agree with everyone that if they don't want to watch the solar eclipse they don't have to. I don't think anyone should judge their beliefs without first judging their own. However, I think that those in tribal culures don't have the right to enforce their beliefs on others, even within the same cultures; if their kids want to stare at the sun (safely), they shouldn't be stopped because of the parent's beliefs.
I definitely think that the intentions of the Navajo tribe were admirable in the sense that there are not many known Native American tribes present in this century than there were before, and I admire the fact that they are trying to preserve their beliefs. It is their right given to them by the first amendment to practice their religion and express their beliefs in peace and I honestly think people should not be making a big deal out of this. If they wish to disregard the fascinations of the solar eclipse - they should be free to do so without being judged or criticized for it.
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. If the Native American tribes don't want to see the eclipse, then no one should force them to do so. I too agree with Rebecca; there is nothing admirable about it, just people following their personal beliefs.
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