Green Corn Ceremony

Green Corn Ceremony

The Green Corn Ceremony is a celebration of the new corn and the new
year. It is a time of forgiveness and purification for both the
ceremonial grounds and the Creek people. Old ways are cast aside as the
new year marks a fresh start and new beginning. Every aspect of the
ceremony is in some way symbolic of the purification and cleansing that
is taking place. The name of this ceremony refers to its connection
with the annual harvest of the New (Green) Corn. This ripening and
harvest usually occurs during July or August, and none is eaten before
this time. Such thanksgiving and celebration of a single crop is not
unusual considering its traditional importance. Corn was by far the
most dependable food source as it produced even when other crops failed
or hunting was unsuccessful. Corn could be prepared in a variety of
ways and could be used in numerous dishes. Even today corn remains a
primary food source, because of both its nutritional value and
traditional symbolism. The ceremony is also referred to as the Posketa
or Busk which means "to fast". Fasting occurs in two ways; first as the
community abstains from eating all new corn until the harvest
celebration marked by the Green Corn, and second as participants
abstain from all food and consume only a traditional herbal drink, a
powerful emetic which serves to cleanse the body both physically and
spiritually. According to traditionalists, the purpose of this medicine
is to purify the people, so that they will be in an acceptable mental
and physical state to receive the blessings of the new year.
Purification is the major theme of the ceremony, and participants are
expected to lay aside ill feelings, forgive wrongs done to them, and
forget the conflicts of the previous year. It is the Creek belief that
all people should act with the kind of honest motivation which can only
come from a pure heart and mind. By designating this time for
cleansing, they ensure such purity for another year, and celebrate life
as their ancestors have for thousands of years.