Weddings: Overview

In precolonial times weddings were linked more to food security than to romance. For many Native Americans marriage was a way to extend families and solidify clan relationships, providing a safety net during times of scarcity. Furthermore, a potential spouse might be evaluated on his ability to hunt or her skill at grinding corn. Elder tribal women arranged Cherokee marriages, though approval of the couples was sought. The girl demonstrated acceptance by preparing a bowl of hominy, and the boy indicated agreement by eating it. In some Hopi villages a girl took the initiative by bringing a piki (thin blue cornmeal cake) to her intended. If he took a bite, they were engaged. In Navajo marriages the bride’s mother would prepare cornmeal porridge and place it in a basket woven with designs symbolizing the union of Sky Father and Earth Mother. Corn pollen, representing fertility and the cardinal directions, was sprinkled across the top. The couple concluded the ceremony by eating small amounts of the mush, sharing the rest with guests. In the early twenty-first century Native American weddings are frequently Christian based; however, traditions such as the basket of cornmeal porridge might be incorporated into the service.