Why I Am a Pagan - Zitkala Sa Zitkala Sa, a renowned Native American writer and activist, wrote an essay titled "Why I Am a Pagan" in which she expresses her reasons for adhering to her ancestral spiritual practices. In this essay, she shares her deep connection to her native culture and explains why she rejects the missionary teachings that sought to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Zitkala Sa begins her essay by acknowledging the power and beauty of nature, which she perceives as a divine force. She describes how, as a child, she would spend hours alone in nature, observing its wonders and feeling a connection to something greater than herself. This connection to the natural world, she believes, is at the core of her spirituality and defines her as a pagan. She goes on to emphasize the importance of tradition and heritage in understanding one's identity.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
However, the voice of that little girl keeps tenaciously struggling against the American assimilation to preserve the true religion of the aborigines by propagandizing itself to many people around the world. From the low night sky, with its myriad fire points, a large bright star peeped in at the smoke-hole of the wigwam between its fluttering lapels, down upon two Dakotas talking in the dark.
She goes on to emphasize the importance of tradition and heritage in understanding one's identity. Zitkala Sa recounts how her grandmother would tell her stories about their ancestors and their spiritual practices. These stories served as a link to the past and a reminder of the richness and significance of their culture.
The Trial Path, Impressions of an Indian Childhood and Why I am a Pagan
IT was an autumn night on the plain. The smoke-lapels of the cone-shaped tepee flapped gently in the breeze. From the low night sky, with its myriad fire points, a large bright star peeped in at the smoke-hole of the wigwam between its fluttering lapels, down upon two Dakotas talking in the dark. The mellow stream from the star above, a maid of twenty summers, on a bed of sweet-grass, drank in with her wakeful eyes. On the opposite side of the tepee, beyond the centre fireplace, the grandmother spread her rug. Though once she had lain down, the telling of a story has aroused her to a sitting posture.
Her eyes are tight closed. With a thin palm she strokes her wind-shorn hair.
“Yes, my grandchild, the legend says the large bright stars are wise old warriors, and the small dim ones are handsome young braves,” she reiterates, in a high, tremulous voice.
“Then this one peeping in at the smoke-hole yonder is my dear old grandfather,” muses the young woman, in long-drawn-out words.
Her soft rich voice floats through the darkness within the tepee, over the cold ashes heaped on the centre fire, and passes into the ear of the toothless old woman, who sits dumb in silent reverie. Thence it flies on swifter wing over many winter snows, till at last it cleaves the warm light atmosphere of her grandfather’s youth. From there her grandmother made answer:
“Listen! I am young again. It is the day of your grandfather’s death. The elder one, I mean, for there were two of them. They were like twins, though they were not brothers. They were friends, inseparable! All things, good and bad, they shared together, save one, which made them mad. In that heated frenzy the younger man slew his most intimate friend. He killed his elder brother, for long had their affection made them kin.”
The voice of the old woman broke. Swaying her stooped shoulders to and fro as she sat upon her feet, she muttered vain exclamations beneath her breath. Her eyes, closed tight against the night, beheld behind them the light of bygone days. They saw again a rolling black cloud spread itself over the land. Her ear heard the deep rumbling of a tempest in the west. She bent low a cowering head, while angry thunder-birds shrieked across the sky. “Heya! heya!” (No! no!) groaned the toothless grandmother at the fury she had awakened. But the glorious peace afterward, when yellow sunshine made the people glad, now lured her memory onward through the storm.
However, the voice of that little girl keeps tenaciously struggling against the American assimilation to preserve the true religion of the aborigines by propagandizing itself to many people around the world. By that way, people of different ethnic groups from different places can experience what Zitkala-Sa’s has enjoyed. By reading her “Why I Am a Pagan”, they can smell the perfumed breath of “the lovely little folk”; hear the story that “the American aborigine tells”; fell the “vigorous freedom” lying in a bird’s “little spirit”; and see how “small indeed” the “Infinite Love” of those Christian missionaries is. That is the reason why more and more people will understand “the voice of the Great Spirit” running in “the twittering of birds, the ripping of mighty water …”, then appreciate “the nature garden” which is indeed a true place for all God’s creature. “If this is Paganism, then at present, at least”, they probably want to be Pagans too.
However, Zitkala Sa's commitment to her cultural heritage does not stem from a blind adherence to traditions. Rather, she argues that her pagan beliefs harmonize with her understanding of the world and her personal experiences. She believes that the natural world, with its cycles of life and death, mirrors the human experience and provides valuable lessons about life. In contrast, Zitkala Sa criticizes the Christian missionaries who sought to convert Native Americans. She views their teachings as foreign and oppressive, stripping Native Americans of their culture and enforcing a new set of beliefs that were incompatible with their values and way of life. She rejects the idea that her spirituality can only be validated through Christianity, asserting that her pagan beliefs are equally valid and meaningful. Ultimately, Zitkala Sa's essay serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of Native American spirituality. She passionately defends her decision to remain true to her ancestral beliefs and highlights the importance of respecting diverse spiritual practices. Through her writing, she urges others to embrace their own cultural heritage and find spirituality in their connection to the natural world..
Reviews for "Zitkala Sa's Paganism: A Path to Personal Freedom"
1. Sarah - 2/5
While I appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on her experiences as a Native American woman in a white-dominated society, I found "Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Sa to be lacking in substance. The writing style was disjointed and it was difficult to connect with the author's ideas and emotions. I also felt like the essay lacked a clear direction and purpose. Overall, I found this piece to be underwhelming and it did not resonate with me.
2. Mark - 1/5
I found "Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Sa to be a confusing and incoherent mess. The author jumps from one topic to another without providing any clear connections or explanations. It felt like I was reading a jumbled collection of random thoughts rather than a cohesive essay. Additionally, Zitkala-Sa's attempt to convey her perspective as a Pagan fell flat, as she failed to provide any meaningful insights or organized arguments. I was disappointed by this piece and would not recommend it.
3. Jessica - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Sa, considering the significance of her experiences as a Native American woman. However, I found the essay to be confusing and difficult to follow. The author's thoughts and ideas were scattered, making it hard to understand her intended message. Additionally, the lack of proper transitions and structure made the reading experience disjointed. While I appreciate Zitkala-Sa's attempt to share her perspective, I found this essay to be ultimately disappointing.
4. Ryan - 2/5
"Why I Am a Pagan" by Zitkala-Sa left me feeling unsatisfied. The writing style was dry and lacking in emotion, making it difficult to connect with the author's experiences. The essay also felt disorganized and disjointed, with Zitkala-Sa jumping from one anecdote to another without providing clear connections. I was hoping for a more profound and impactful exploration of her Pagan beliefs, but unfortunately, this piece fell short of my expectations.