American Indian Myths & Mysteries By Vincent H. Gaddis Copyright 1977, pg. 65 Lucille Taylor Hansen is a most remarkable person, a lifelong student of Amerind lore and the possessor of a tremendous knowledge of the inner meanings of signs and symbols. Much of this knowledge has been gained by direct contact with shamans and inheritors of the ancient traditions. As a woman, she has inspired trust and been permitted to witness ceremonies usually closed to Caucasians. Thus she was allowed to be present at a Mescalero Apache Crown Dance. Moreover, she came prepared to question the principal chanter or ceremonial leader, who wore the most elaborate costume. No one else would be expected to possess all his knowledge, as he would be the keeper of the ancestral wisdom. As her first act, Ms. Hansen showed the frowning shaman some paintings of Yama, the Tibetan ruler of hell with his trident and skullcap whose scarlet fringe is so similar to the crown of the Incas. After a quick glance, he turned away with a No-savvy while several young men took the pictures and began commenting in Apache. The shaman became interested in spite of himself and examined the picture carefully. Lucille Hansen explained that the figure was from Central Asia and pointed out the headdress with its triple horns. Next she exhibited some photographs of Egyptian temple wall paintings. One of these suddenly caused startled exclamations and shouts for other tribesman to come and look. It was a painting of Ammon-Ra, the horned ram god. What tribe painted this picture?the ceremonial leader asked, bewilderment clouding his previously mask-frozen face. She explained that it was a temple painting from ancient Egypt, and she indicated the similarities between it and the fire god in the Crown Dance. Could you tell me the name of your god so I can compare the names? She inquired. I cannot do so, the shaman replied. We are forbidden to name him out loud. It reduces his power when we need his help and it brings bad luck. Very well. If I tell you the name of the Egyptian god, will you tell me if its close to your own name? The shaman nodded his head. The Egyptian god is Amman-Ra. There was a simultaneous gasp from the Apaches, and they stared at each other in a startled, even frightened, manner. The name is identical, said the shaman. Across what mysterious void of millennia, what unknown interrelationships of cultures, could this name of a god link the antique land of the pharaohs to this reservation in New Mexicos Sacramento Mountains?
Posted on: Sat, 19 Apr 2014 15:15:37 +0000
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