The Thanksgiving Feast is On!
This week we talk a bit about some of the earlier traditions that this American holiday is born out of. Back in 1621, the Pilgrims were partaking of an ancient tradition - the tradition of the Harvest Home. The Harvest Home, as it was (and is still) called in England, was widely celebrated across Europe in one form or another for centuries.
And I also want to explore North America through a Native American’s eyes. And I have for you some excerpts from an article called, ”Through Tewa Eyes”, by Alphonso Ortiz. This appeared in National Geographic Magazine back in October of 1991, as part of the issue’s overall theme, “1491, America Before Columbus”
I hope you enjoy this week’s show!
And I also want to explore North America through a Native American’s eyes. And I have for you some excerpts from an article called, ”Through Tewa Eyes”, by Alphonso Ortiz. This appeared in National Geographic Magazine back in October of 1991, as part of the issue’s overall theme, “1491, America Before Columbus”
I hope you enjoy this week’s show!
The First Thanksgiving
On June 20, 1676, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving, our first.
Here is that proclamation in the same language as the original.
"The Holy God, having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive Dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant People in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgments he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our Positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching, that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people, offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by J esus Christ."
Here is that proclamation in the same language as the original.
"The Holy God, having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive Dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant People in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgments he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our Positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:
The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching, that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people, offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by J esus Christ."
Playlist for This Week's Show
Michelle Shocked: “Anchorage”
Dar Williams: “Family”
Urban Myth: “The Harvest Home”
Sacred Earth Drums: “Dancing for a Vision”
Simon & Garunkle: “America”
Vox Pop: “Blues Train”
Hotclub of Cowtown: Orange Blossom Special”
Bruce Springsteen: “Born to Run”
Talking Heads: “People Like Us”
Mediaeval Babes: “Now Springs the Spray”
Revels: “The Earth is our Mother”
Laura Love: “Less is More”
Revels: “Breton Band Set”
T. Thorn Coyle: “First We’ll Take Manhattan”
Emerald Rose: “Hills of America"
Vox Pop: “Hymn to Gaia”
Dar Williams: “Family”
Urban Myth: “The Harvest Home”
Sacred Earth Drums: “Dancing for a Vision”
Simon & Garunkle: “America”
Vox Pop: “Blues Train”
Hotclub of Cowtown: Orange Blossom Special”
Bruce Springsteen: “Born to Run”
Talking Heads: “People Like Us”
Mediaeval Babes: “Now Springs the Spray”
Revels: “The Earth is our Mother”
Laura Love: “Less is More”
Revels: “Breton Band Set”
T. Thorn Coyle: “First We’ll Take Manhattan”
Emerald Rose: “Hills of America"
Vox Pop: “Hymn to Gaia”
Announcements
If you or your group has anything coming up that you would like me to announce, drop me a line at spiraldance1@excite.com