Medicine Bag In Native American Culture
In The Medicine Bag by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve the medicine bag is symbolic in Native American culture. A medicine bag is a small pouch, worn by some Native American people, that contains items associated with spiritual healing. This ties into the mythology and beliefs of Native American people. The mythology involving a medicine bag is they contain amulets or herbal remedies, or other sacred objects. Usually a shaman or medicine man carries a medicine bag. When a boy in a tribe is of age, as a rite of passage he goes on a spiritual quest or vision journey. In The Medicine Bag, the bag was passed down in the family, given to each of the eldest male child in the family. “ During the Vision Quest a Spirit Guide was revealed. This power
animal was believed to walk through life with them.The Shaman would discuss the meaning and significance of the Spirit Guide and provide them with a personal bag or pouch containing various symbolic item.” (Alchin)
How the medicine bag in the stories symbolizes family because it was past down the line of first-born males in the family. The cultural importance of families and bloodlines were raised in it and it is most likely all they have every known. This is how is was for the Grandfather in the Medicine Bag. The grandfather clung to his religious identity and this is why he left his home, the only place he has ever known, and went to pass on the spiritual medicine bag. are extremely important in Native American culture. Due to being put onto reservations, Native Americans cling to the identities that they have and are completely separated from the Outside World basically. At least according to the story. So through that logic, their myths and religious beliefs become extremely strong to them.
animal was believed to walk through life with them.The Shaman would discuss the meaning and significance of the Spirit Guide and provide them with a personal bag or pouch containing various symbolic item.” (Alchin)
How the medicine bag in the stories symbolizes family because it was past down the line of first-born males in the family. The cultural importance of families and bloodlines were raised in it and it is most likely all they have every known. This is how is was for the Grandfather in the Medicine Bag. The grandfather clung to his religious identity and this is why he left his home, the only place he has ever known, and went to pass on the spiritual medicine bag. are extremely important in Native American culture. Due to being put onto reservations, Native Americans cling to the identities that they have and are completely separated from the Outside World basically. At least according to the story. So through that logic, their myths and religious beliefs become extremely strong to them.