Native American Culture: One With the Earth

Native American culture is deeply rooted in the earth and environment. Since most Native American tribes settle up North or in the mountainous regions, their traditions and belief systems are connected to animals and plants located in their area. Despite this, the Native Americans generally believe that all life must be protected and mother earth should be given the respect she deserves.

Native Americans were the original settlers in America before the Mayflower landed on its shores. Later, they were co-opted and their lands were usurped by white people or foreign settlers. Despite this, Native Americans have kept their tradition of respect for the "great spirit" and individual freedom. Indian culture is also characterized by the use of animal skin as clothing and accessories. Their robes are dyed in earth colors with red, green and orange accents to complement their brown clothes.

Native American culture is known to value camaraderie and unity. A system of hierarchy has also persevered within their culture. As with many other cultures, the women were generally left at home while the men hunted or went fishing. Still, women were given respect and treated almost as equals. This is because in Indian culture, everyone had a function in society that is vital to the continuity of the human race and of the environment.

Native American culture also used to labor under the misapprehension of brutality and barbarianism. It should be noted that any people protecting their land, threatened with warfare, would spill blood to protect what is their own. Early American settlers were culturally shocked by Native American battle methods.

At any rate, Native American culture is also famous for the use of special herbs and concoctions as medicine. Native Americans also invoke animal and ancestral spirits to guide them or cure them of illness. In general, it could be said that Native Americans are culturally very much attuned to the earth and living creatures.