The Signs of Corn
When corn is to be planted by the Indians, it is the work of the women folk to see to the sorting and cleaning of the best seed. It is also the women's work to see to the planting.
After the best seed has been selected, the planter measures the corn, lays down a layer of hay, then a layer of corn. Over this corn they sprinkle warm water and cover it with another layer of hay, then bind hay about the bundle and hang it up in a spot where the warm rays of the sun can strike it.
While the corn is hanging in the sun, the ground is being prepared to receive it. Having finished the task of preparing the ground, the woman takes down her seed corn, which has by this time sprouted. Then she proceeds to plant the corn.
Before she plants the first hill, she extends her heavenwards and asks the Great Spirit to bless her work, that she may have a good yield. After her prayer she takes four kernels and plants one at the north, one at the south, one at the east and one at the west sides of the first hill. This is asking the Great Spirit to give summer rain and sunshine to bring forth a good crop.
For different growths of the corn, the women have an interpretation as to the character of the one who planted it.
1st. Where the corn grows in straight rows and the cob is full of kernels to the end, this signifies that the planter of this corn is of an exemplary character, and is very truthful and thoughtful.
2nd. If the rows on the ears of corn are irregular and broken, the planter is considered careless and unthoughtful. Also disorderly and slovenly about her house and person.
3rd. When an ear of corn bears a few scattering kernels with spaces producing no corn, it is said that is a good sign that the planter will live to a ripe old age. So old will they be that like the corn, their teeth will be few and far between.
4th. When a stalk bears a great many nubbins, or small ears growing around the large one, it is a sign that the planter is from a large and respectable family.
After the corn is gathered, it is boiled into sweet corn and made into hominy; parched and mixed with buffalo tallow and rolled into round balls, and used at feasts, or carried by the warriors on the warpath as food.
When there has been a good crop of corn, an ear is always tied at the top of the medicine pole, of the sun dance, in thanks to the Great Spirit for his goodness to them in sending a bountiful crop.
In one to two sentences, explain what the reaction of the Sioux to a good crop shows about the Sioux people.
Question 2
The Badger Names the Sun
At the beginning of the era of the Serum, nobody knew the name of the sun and they wanted a name for it. For this reason they held a council on the bank of the Serum River. Everyone gave his opinion but no name was found for the sun. Every day they studied the matter. They did not know if it were man or woman and so they couldn't decide whether it would be best to give it a male or a female name. The Serum could not agree. They finally invited all the animals of the world to come to a council.
Once they were all present, before the sun came up, at the edge of the river, they made a great group of men and animals. When the sun appeared, a badger came out of a hole where he lived in the ground.
The badger came to the council and said in a strong voice, "The sun being a man, comes out of a hole in the earth as I do." Speaking thus, he ran away.
Everyone ran after him, wishing to pay him honor for his great intelligence. They wanted to give a fiesta for him and to pay him well with abundant food.
But the badger ran away and went into his hole and would not come out. He thought they wanted to punish him. From that time on the badger rarely goes out on the plains. He is still afraid that they might punish him for something.
In one to two sentences, explain the problem in this story and how the badger solved it.
I'm really lost with these please help XD
i was confused on this too. i was hoping that ms sue or writeacher would have responded to this.
Oh i have it just look up the first question on your browser and then croll a little it has like 181 likes use that one
here is the answer for 1.
The reaction of the Sioux to good crop was dancing and praising the sun god. What this shows is that these people called Sioux is a religious group of people
hlp me!!
The reaction of the Sioux to a good crop shows that they are grateful and thankful people, as they show their gratitude to the Great Spirit by tying an ear of corn at the top of the medicine pole in the sun dance.
The problem in the story of the Badger Naming the Sun is that the people couldn't agree on a name for the sun until the badger, who saw the similarity between the sun and himself, suggested that the sun should be considered a man since it also comes out of a hole in the ground. The badger solved the problem by providing a unique perspective and creating a consensus among the people and animals.
In the first story about the signs of corn, when the Sioux people react with gratitude and thankfulness to a good crop, it shows that they have a strong sense of appreciation for the blessings they receive and a connection to the Great Spirit.
In the second story about the naming of the sun, the problem was that the people couldn't agree on a name for the sun. The badger solved the problem by suggesting that since the sun comes out of a hole in the earth, it should be given a male name, and then the badger ran away, thinking they wanted to punish him for his intelligence.