Ojibway Ceremonies

This was an invaluable reference for my science thriller, Neitherworld, about an Ojibwe girl and her family and ancestors Neitherworld Book One Akiiwan (CreateSpace Version). Johnston is perhaps the greatest living authority on Ojibwe culture and this book will teach you about their customs and ceremonies. There is a helpful appendix containing the ojibwe version of one of their ceremonies as well. I only wish Johnston had inlcluded a biliography.

Really good book. Being a member of an Ojibway Tribe I found the book well written and full of information on my ancestors sprituality and way of life. Reminded me of the stories and experiences I had as a child. Anyone wanting "dry facts" about Ojibway heritage and spirituality will not find it in this book. It's through storytelling, one of the Ojibway's primary means of teaching children, that the ceremonies are taught. Because readers are at different levels of mentality and spirituality, what you get from this book will differ for each reader. As you grow, and if you read the book again, each time you read the book some new information will become apparent on how the Anishinabek lived. You will also become more aware of their traditional beliefs and values.

This is the first book of its kind that I've ever read (specific ceremonies throughout the life of the Ojibway), so I don't really have a point of reference. But I thought it was a great idea how it was written almost like a novel, in that the life of an individual was followed from birth, and all the ceremonies and events described throughout his life. It didn't have the emotion that a novel has, though, and does pretty much stick to describing circumstances, rather than understanding the people from the level of the heart. It is well written, and an enjoyable read. It left me wanting to read something more in-depth on the subjects.

In this and his other books, Basil Johnston does an outstanding job of expressing the spirit of Ojibway culture and spirituality. "Ojibway Ceremonies" particularly focuses on the cycle of ceremonies which marked the major events of life in Ojibway Society, beginning with the Naming Ceremony, proceeding through the Vision Quest and Marriage Ceremonies, and finally ending with the Ritual of the Dead. In addition, Johnston outlines some of the rituals of the secret societies, the Midewewin (Grand Medicine Society) and Wabunowin (Society of the Dawn). In traditional native fashion, the ceremonies are introduced and explained through story, rather than as dry anthropological information. Ojibway Ceremonies is an enjoyable read, and a fascinating look into one of the most resilient, if not most outspoken of Native American cultures.

This book was very helpful to me in planning funerals and weddings for my family members. This book has a lot of ojibwe language and stories in it and is overall excellent.