What the Warrior Maiden of Oneida Can Teach Us About Surviving Tragedy
Deep wisdom from an indigenous tribe in North America
Divisiveness, anger, and distrust are rampant in modern Western democracies. Most agree this is dangerous for society, but almost everyone has chosen a side.
Eventually, everyone will lose in the petty political and cultural wars. There are no winners to internal division in culture. Throughout history this truth is self-evident. Yet, we humans are slow learners.
Ancient indigenous tribes understood the destructive forces of rampant individualism and divisiveness better than we do.
Looking backward for answers
From the Native North American Indians to the tribes across Africa, Latin America, and Australia, a central tenant has emerged across time.
A thriving civilization living, interacting, sacrificing, solving problems, celebrating success, and getting through loss and tragedy together is powerful.
A dying civilization is characterized by distrust, greed, anger, hostility, and hate. It is pretty safe to say, the United States of America fits the description of a dying civilization in many ways.
We need to look no further than the recent shooting in Texas. Ted Cruz’s solution to the gun violence-we need more guns in the schools. The Democrat solution ban guns. Will there be a middle ground compromise? I doubt it.
Both point blame and demonize each other. It’s pathetic.
It is time to take a serious look at the constant assault we wage against each other in our political and cultural wars.
Nothing is free. Every action, word, and attack against each other has repercussions…eventually.
The Warrior Maiden Oneida
The Oneida were one of the first tribal nations in North America, located in modern-day New York State. Their enemy, the Mingo, lived in neighboring regions. Both tribes spoke languages rooted in the Iroquois language.
The Mingo mercilessly attacked and ultimately overcame the Oneida. Those not killed and enslaved were scattered and forced to a meager existence in the barren countryside.
They were safe but starving and without a home. Until a young, brave girl decided to save the tribe. Her name was Aliquipiso.
This is her story. It begins in the midst of intense conflict.
She approached the tribal council, “We are hiding on a high, sheer cliff. Above us, the mountain has boulders and heavy sharp rocks. You warriors, wait and watch here. I will go to the Mingos and lead them to the spot at the foot of the cliff where they all can be crushed and destroyed.”
The council, in awe of the bravery of this young girl, but desperate to free themselves from their horrible existence, agreed.
Aliquipiso allowed herself to be caught by the Mingo, and the warriors took her to the chief.
The Mingo Chief commanded her, “show us the way to where your people are hiding. If you do this, we shall adopt you into our tribe. Then you will belong to the victors. If you refuse, you will be tortured and killed at the stake.”
To ensure the Mingo would believe her ploy, she initially refused to tell them and subjected herself to unbearable suffering.
The Mingo tied her to a blackened tree stump and tortured her with fire, as was their custom. Even the wild Mingo were astonished at the girl’s courage to endure the torture.
At last, Aliquipiso pretended to weaken under the pain. “Don’t hurt me anymore,” she cried, “I’ll show you the way!”
Aliquipiso then leads the Mingo into the trap. “Come closer, Mingo warriors,” she said softly, “gather around me, the Oneidas above are sleeping, thinking themselves safe. I’ll show you the secret passage that leads upwards.”
The Mingos crowded together in a dense mass with the girl in the center.
Once Aliquipiso lured the Mingo warriors into the trap, she uttered a piercing cry, “Oneidas! The enemies are here! Destroy them!”
The Mingos scarcely had time to strike her down before huge boulders and rocks rained upon them. Crushing them all.
So many Mingo warriors were killed under the boulders they never bothered the Oneida again. Due to the bravery and sacrifice of Aliquipiso, the Oneidas returned to their land and thrived.
Aliquipiso is glorified forever in Oneida lore. The story of the girl’s courage and self-sacrifice survives to this day.
The moral of the story
Aliquipiso demonstrates the self-sacrifice and cooperative principle at the heart of tribal ethics. It also is at the heart of every flourishing civilization.
At the core of this story is a rejection of the individual in favor of collective survival. We could learn much from this tribal fable.
We are, for better or worse, a group collective. We thrive and die together. Tearing each other down will eventually lead to our collective demise. It is inevitable.
Life will be a barren and meager existence if we continue to foster hate, blame each other for every problem, stoke the flames of divisiveness, sneer at, mock, and lack trust in our fellow citizens.
We don’t have to be tortured or martyred like Aliquipiso, but we need to reevaluate our collective selves and how we treat each other. In many ways our very survival as a nation depends upon it.
The message is clear in these indigenous tales.
One question for you and me: Are we adding to society’s divisiveness, anger, and vitriol? Or are we doing our utmost to be civil, compassionate, and understanding, even when we disagree with the other side? Even when we are going through a horrible tragedy?
It is a hard question we should all honestly ask ourselves.
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