A Lakota bow looks like a fine piece of wood. The one I'm making is Ash. High ground between Canoe Pond and an open marsh is where this sappling began life. The Ash is white with slightly darker, thin, even lines. What can't be seen is the soul of the instrument.
The Lakota description of the process of making a bow has little to do with woodworking and everything to do with a spiritual experience. What I learned about woodworking during the four-plus weeks of coaxing the wood into a bow, I learned from two men of wisdom in woodworking and serenity. The spiritual experience is in the act of doing.
I plan to give this bow as a gift to my five year old nephew Noah. If you live North of Highway 10 in Wisconsin, you won't be surprised to know a five year old is already an experienced archer. If you are surprised, be assured it comes with the territory. Noah has already spent more time in the woods being part of nature than he will ever spend playing video games. My wish for this gift is to light a spark in young Noah to encourage him to grow a connection with Mother Earth. A similar spark was lit in Aaron and it changed his life. I'd like for Noah to know what was important to his "Big Buddy Airn-done". Aaron got me to thinking about the Truth in Native culture compared to the confusing beliefs of Euro-American mis-history.
In Lakota tradition, my bow was cut from a straight sappling. Tobacco was left where it stood as an offering to the earth in thanks for the tree's life. The earth will replace the tree. With only hand tools, the Ash was carved with a flat side facing the person holding it (the inside). The outside is rounded, with the bow tappered to the ends. A handle was carved out at the midway point. I was pleased that by no accident, the bow balances on the head of a nail, at what appears to be the exact mid-point. It is important that the top and bottom of the sappling remain the top and bottom of the bow. Reverse them and the bow will break. According to the Lakota bow makers, the life of the tree moves from Earth to Sun, disrupting the natural flow of energy will weaken the bow and cause its destruction.
Ash is a stout wood. Once the tree is cut, there is no bend to it. My wise, serenity elders told me to heat the wood in water inside a steel tube. Once good and steamed the wood should bend. It did. That's not the way I lived; once steamed, I became inflexible. I'm trying to be more like the Ash: stout yet flexible under pressure.
The Lakota elder who was an expert bow maker said the bow should never be worked on in the a time of mourning. At times when I hurt the most I didn't pick up the wood. When my heart was calm and my mind at peace, those good feelings were transfered to the wood.
Yesterday was a beautiful end of winter day. Sunny. A gentle Northwest wind. Wind from the west brings introspection. From the north is wisdom of elders. Molly, Aaron's 13 1/2 year old English Setter roamed the yard. Doc, our soon to be 10 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever lounged in the warmth of the sun.
I built a fire in our fire pit from wood of a Standing Person (tree) cut by Aaron last spring. (The fire pit is the same one Aaron used to burn his past sorrowful memories back in September '04.) In the fire, I added Grandfathers (stones) from our Tranquility Pond. One of the Grandfathers is a stone I brought home from the location where Aaron and I last hunted ducks. Tobacco I bought last spring after Aaron died and cedar from Lost Lake Road near Antigo, were sprinkled on the Standing People and Grandfathers. The Heat and Smoke they gave to the Bow carried Good Medicine of love and strength.
Carved into the Bow, to make sure Noah always knows the top from the bottom, is a Grandfather Sun at the top. A Broken Arrow points up to the sun. Grandmother Moon is at the bottom. I chose the Arrow as a symbol of a Warrior, Truth, Security, and Brotherhood. It's a Broken Aarow to represent the Peaceful Warrior who has passed. The Bow bends under pressure of mourning the Broken Arrow... but does not break.
Today I may finish my work with the Bow. I don't know for sure. When it's done it will be done. Noah and I share the interest in hunting that Aaron and I had. In fact, Aaron planned to learn deer hunting from Noah's Dad. That would have been a lesson he had time for in the coming years. I hope Noah grows to know the connections of the symbolism in his sacred bow: Two Leggeds (people) are no more or less than other Beings. All life is part of Mother Earth. When one of our Family moves on, we can maintain a connection by feeling and using our inner senses to "hear" what all Beings, in any life form, are communicating to us.
At a recent sweat, my friend the Lakota Sun Dancer, pointed out to me that the "Broken Arrow" is a symbol of Peace. How perfect. Aaron ended most of his notes and messages with either "Love, AJ" or "Good Times" or just simply "Peace". I dedicate this bow to it's new owner Noah- Broken Arrow.
With an open heart and peace of good intent.
Tom
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment