In trying to understand the nature of the self in other cultures, one principle source for this understanding is accounts of the path of human life as understood by that culture. Among the Chippewa, the principle religion is Mide', a religion fundamentally concerned with moral rectitude and the curing of the sick. According to the Chippewa, the origin of Mide' are the Manido', or spirits, who originally taught the curing art and the relgion to the Chippewa. The following is a Mide' account of the path of life from the 1890's; as you read it and look at the birch bark drawing that accompanied it, try to extract the purpose of life from it. Why is the diagram curved? What does that seem to represent? What happens at tangential points (which lead to a short life)? What then is expected of a human in the course of their life if they desire to lead a full life?

   This diagram represents the path of life from youth to old age, the tangent which appears at each angle representing a temptation. There are seven of these temptations.

   The first tangent represents the first temptation which comes to a young man. If he yields to it he will not live long.

   The second tangent represents the second temptation, and the penalty for this also is that he will not live long.

   With the third temptation the element of religious responsibility appears, and the man is asked: "How did you act when you were initiated into the Mide'wiwin? Were you respectful to the older members, and did you faithfully fulfill all obligations?"

   The fourth tangent is placed beyond the angle of the line. It represents a temptation coming to a man in middle life.

   With the fifth temptation the man begins to reflect upon his own length of days, and asks himself: "Have you ever been disrespectful to old age?"

   The sixth temptation returns to the religious idea, and asks whether all religious obligations have been fulfilled.

   The seventh temptation is said to be the hardest of all, and if a man can endure it he will live to teh allotted age of man. At this time an evil spirit comes to him, and if he has even so much as smiled during a Mide' ceremony, he must reckon with it then.



©1996, Richard Hooker

For information contact: Richard Hines
Updated 6-6-1999