Understanding The Old Ways and Their Modern Counterparts

Perhaps the most fascinating and least understood aspects of Native American life are its spiritual traditions. While the actual form and meanings are virtually unknowable to outsiders, William Winn in his well-researched book, The Old Beloved Path, Daily Life Among the Indians of the Chattahoochee River Valley, gives us the best glimpse possible into the spiritual life of the early Creek People who were, as he says, "notoriously reluctant to speak of their spiritual belief and never really understood the inclination of Europeans and Americans to do so." This statement is still true today.

As an integral part of daily life, keeping oneself pure and in balance with nature was the goal and focus of the Creek's entire belief system. The fact that white men saw themselves as holding dominion over nature, rather than being a part of it, Winn says, was the fundamental disagreement which set the stage for nearly 400 years of violence and misunderstandings between European settlers and native Americans.

While the particulars of their actual functions are not fully understood, Winn does define in general terms the importance of certain select individuals in the spiritual and daily life of the community. There were those entrusted as keepers of the knowledge and traditions of the People, and others gifted with the skills, insights and wisdom to perform various specialized roles. The knowledge to conduct sacred ceremonies, for instance, was entrusted to but a select few.

Among the individuals Winn describes were the keethlulgi or "knowers." A keethla (kerrv) was not a shaman, medicine man or a priest, though some may have combined elements of all three. He was, however, a rare and "exceptional individual gifted with deep spiritual and psychological wisdom and a sort of second sight." Winn surmises the keethla's main function in Creek society seems to have been to help restore order or balance with nature. The keethla would usually be consulted in matters of tribal, clan or individual importance.

Several years ago, while relating some stories of his own childhood in the backwoods of South Georgia, Bearheart dwelled long on the deep influence on his life of the clan uncle who served as his mentor for many years. Uncle was a very wise man who held a deep understanding of his Creek heritage and an equally deep concern for his fellow man.

Many were the times when young Bobby Johns went along with Uncle as he made his rounds among their neighbors. Though Uncle never referred to himself as anyone special, he most certainly seemed to know when there was a need, and would just show up to help. The first time Bobby went with Uncle to take a specially carved cane he had made to an elder gentleman, the kindness and finesse of Uncle's act of giving made an everlasting impression.

While he never asked for payment, Uncle was usually rewarded with a few eggs or a mess of greens for such kindnesses as giving haircuts to a poor family's children or providing them with a much-appreciated bicycle he had constructed from old parts. All the while, Bobby was paying attention to these subtle lessons and asking questions. When asked why he did these things, Uncle would just smile and say something like, " Well, it's just a part of being a human being, and somebody's got to be a doer."

Bobby noticed also that people from all around would frequently come by Uncle's home and spend an hour or two in deep conversation with him in the privacy of his workshop. While he was never privy to these conversations, Bobby understood these people had come for Uncle's wise counsel. It would be many years later before an adult Bobby Johns Bearheart would come to know the meaning of the word, keethla. Instantly, he realized this was a perfect description of his beloved Uncle.

Those of us who know our Chief Bearheart well, recognize also that he, himself, holds the same perceptive gifts, patiently fostered in him by his clan uncle. Many who support the altruistic goals of Perdido Bay Tribe have experienced that same kindness and wise counsel freely extended to any who call upon him; never asking anything in return. We can be proud to know that seldom does a day go by that our Chief is not called upon to listen to someone's problems, counsel the dying or console the bereaved. Like his clan uncle before him, Bearheart modestly lives the very essence of his Muscogee Creek heritage; the subtle charge to first be a worthy human being.                                                                               E.P.Dixon 2004