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You are here: Home / Archives for Culture

Culture

The Maasai Meet The Nimiipuu

December 16, 2014 by VolkhardG Leave a Comment

By Volkhard Graf with contributions from Patricia Angle, December 15, 2014

Recently, a special cross-cultural event took place at the Nez Perce Pinewaus Community Center. Colorful Maasai warriors met the Nez Perce in a cultural exchange. Both cultures were at full display, which included dancing, art work, and of course food! True to Native tradition, the guests were welcomed by Nez Perce dancers with a Grand Entry. They in turn responded in their own way of honoring their hosts.

The Nez Perce welcome the Maasai
The Nez Perce welcome the Maasai
Nimiipuu and Maasai Dancers
Nimiipuu and Maasai Dancers

The Maasai group  called “Friends of Sironka” consisted of 12 dancers including their leader. The warrior dancers from Kenya were impressive in their traditional clothing, weaponry, and jewelry. They invited several people from the audience to jump with them in their unique style and to participate in a skit representing a Maasai wedding party.

Drums, made by Nez Perce Youth during culture camp were set up for display. The Maasai also presented their bead work and offered it for sale. Income derived from the sale helps pay for their travel expenses and allows them to send funds to their families in Kenya.

No significant event can go by without food–so  the Chief Joseph Warriors Committee fed the Maasai a delicious meal of buffalo roast, scalloped potatoes, desert, and cake. Thanks to another local family, the Maasai also got to taste traditional Nez Perce roots and huckleberries.

After their welcome and performance in Lapwai, the group made their way to Kamiah, Idaho where they enjoyed more food and a little down time, which was passed by spirited talk and by singing one of their songs. They also learned something about the history of the Nimiipuu, which lead them to observe many similarities in the way both tribes experiences the effects of colonialism.

Friends of Sironka
“Friends of Sironka” sharing the joy of Africa in song

The next day, Sunday morning, the Maasai shared inspiring songs and dances at the two Nez Perce churches in Kamiah, dressed in their cultural beaded clothes. (Listen to “Jonah” and “My God, My God”) Members of the group also shared how Christmas is celebrated in Kenya. Pastor Emmanuel, a member of the team prayed a prayer of blessing over the people in his native language.

Sironka
Sironka
Traditional Maasai dress and jewelry
Nancy wearing her traditional Maasai dress and jewelry

Cultural exchanges like this one allow us to note both differences and similarities in our cultures. Sironka wisely noted that where cultural differences exit, we celebrate them and learn from each other. It was a special blessing to observe how well the Maasai have integrated their culture with their faith in Jesus Christ. It is an inspiration for Indigenous people, who were often forced to put away and forget their culture when they became followers of Jesus.

Biblical Christianity is never found apart from a culture. It is always part of a culture. The Christianity of the New Testament was a part of the Greco-Roman world of the 1st century. There is no such thing as plain Christianity. Christianity always expresses itself through a culture. It is unique in that it can be expressed equally well in any culture.
Grunlan, Stephen A. and Marvin K. Mayers, Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988, 244

More Quotes

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Articles, News, Nez Perce Tagged With: Culture, Faith, Indigenous, Native American, Quotes

When I was in prison did you…?

July 22, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

by Volkhard Graf

It began about a year ago. Out of the blue we received requests from Native inmates located in prisons in different parts of the country. The letters were sometimes scribbled on half-sheets of notepaper and contained questions, asking for resources to help them in their spiritual walk.

Some asked if we could help supply traditional objects of worship, others spoke of how the inmates had come to know Creator through Jesus while incarcerated. We have no idea how inmates got our contact information, especially since requests came from so many different prisons.

We wrote back, to provide printed study materials that could be helpful in their process of becoming apprentices of Jesus, following him behind prison walls. In some instances regular correspondence began to form. We heard heartbreaking stories of abandonment, neglect, abuse in younger years, often leading to lives of addiction, criminal acts, and prostitution.

Many years ago, when I received my own call, the words of the prophet Isaiah speaking about the Messiah, Creator’s Son, strongly impacted me:

He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners… (Isaiah 61)

We began hearing stories of hope, how the desperation, loneliness, and heartache had literally driven inmates to Jesus. They found acceptance, forgiveness, comfort, and strength in their difficult situations. They also shared their concern for other family members, in one instance, a lady told us of her husband who was incarcerated in another maximum security prison and wanted us to get in touch with him. We have been able to provide Bibles, Books, and other relevant materials, particularly from a Native perspective and have heard back that they are helpful and that there is a desire for more. Because of security restrictions, these materials often need to be shipped directly from the publishers, which is more costly. If you would like to financially support this outreach, you can donate securely here.

A gift of $25 covers a paperback discipleship Study Bible, or Richard Twiss’ book: “Many Tribes–One Church, Following Jesus the way God made you”

Filed Under: Get Involved Tagged With: Culture, Discipleship, Friends, Native American, Prisoners

50 Years Later-YWAM is still innovating

December 24, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

YWAM Still Innovating Mission Work

Loren Cunningham’s vision first took shape in 1960. Fifty years later, nearly 4.5 million people have been involved in Youth With A Mission.

“God called us tor break some norms, and change the paradigm of missions. Although we didn’t know what all that meant, we were used to do the radical. When YWAM was founded, people didn’t think missionaries were anything but westerners speaking to non-westerners under a shade tree, often with a pith helmet. That was never what God thought!” (Loren Cunningham)

“We have always recognized that it takes everyone and that God has uniquely made different people. We are called to release young people into their destiny. Our focus is to develop potential in others.”  (Darlene Cunningham)

“God is willing to use ordinary people of all backgrounds! He is no respecter of nationalities, color of skin, or background. He is willing to use anyone.”

“All Nations are sending Nations, they all have the Great Commission in their Bible, no matter what language they read it in. We need each other desperately. At this point, YWAM is a majority non-western mission! It is an incredible experience to see the riches of Jesus revealed through the human creation, blended together in this adventure that we have experienced in these last 50 years.” (John Dawson)

At the final 50th Anniversary celebration in Hawaii, one participant described her feeling like being at a United Nations event because of the over 100 nationalities present.

“It has been an enormous privilege of blowing the bugle and we have been honored and humbled by what God has done. Her certainly is the “wave maker.”

This video segment about YWAM’s 50 anniversary was shown on CBN. We trust it will encourage and challenge you to get involved. He wants you, He loves you, He likes you!

You can find much more information, pictures, videos and a sampling of the international music from and by YWAMers: YWAM Music (Check out “Warriors come home,”  “I’m calling you home,” and “Shout it out loud” by June Mataia for sounds of the Pacific Islands.

Filed Under: Articles, Get Involved, News, Video Tagged With: Culture, Faith, missions, Native American, Video, Vision

Natives captivate German Hearts

December 14, 2010 by admin 2 Comments

…When the wind of the Spirit blows, Warrior, come on and ride the wind…”

Robert Soto, Lipan-Apache, protocols the Mayor of Altensteig

The words sung by Broken Walls and accompanied by a powerful drumbeat are thundering from the massive speakers in the horse arena serving as concert venue. Colorful Traditional, Fancy, and Feather dancer’s busts into the arena, as hundreds of German’s give rousing applause. This scene was repeated at several other major venues, often with hundreds of visitors each, coming from near and far to see the “Indianer” from North America. The team performed at churches in Herborn and Altensteig, at City Halls, at a well-known area restaurant, at a “House of Blues,” music pub, a water castle, and various other locations.

Visitors anticipated seeing Native people in their colorful regalia, hearing music that included pow-wow style drumming and the

A very interested crowd in Haiterbach

more contemporary sounds and music of “Broken Walls.” They were not disappointed. It was evident again that there is great interest in Native people from North America in Germany and all over Europe. But cultural exchange was not the only purpose of the team’s trip to Germany. They also came to share parts of their history, including the often horrendous results of abuse, mistreatment by the majority culture, neglect, alcoholism and drug abuse and the healing that they experienced by coming to know Jesus their Creator in a personal way, helping them overcome devastation and hardships.

Klaus-Peter with Broken Walls

Dancing for Creator from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo. A native person having experienced so many hardships but having found freedom in Christ is a powerful and believable witness to European people while sharing their beautiful and varied cultures. Is this possibly part of their destiny in the Lord? We believe that the words first spoken by the Prophet Isaiah to Israel also apply to Native people: “…their descendants shall be known among the nations.” Isaiah 61:9 Jonathan Maracle, widely traveled leader of Broken Walls stated that the country that printed the first Bible is especially on his heart. He said:

“We came here to remind Germans of the message of God’s love they helped bring to us in the first place

Interview by German ERF TV

and have largely forgotten themselves.”

“In the past, First Nations people were either completely assimilated into European culture, or they reacted against it and it’s religion,” said Maracle. “But God didn’t make a mistake when he created our native cultures. Jesus came to conquer sin, not culture. We were made ashamed of our culture.

But now, as native people we reach out for restoration, to all European peoples with the message of Jesus.”

“We love the responses we previously enjoyed in Europe and the enthusiastic reception the music of our native culture has received and we look forward to make new friends.”

Here are a few reactions the team received.

A young lady was moved by the music and dance of the team. Members of the German organizing team are working with her, introducing her to life in fellowship with Jesus and other Followers of Christ.

Native team members keep receiving encouraging news via email and facebook about how their lives were changed by the words they shared and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A young couple has begun their journey to know and grow closer to Jesus

Several other concert participants are taking part in the basic discipleship courses of the church

One mother wrote that her son listens to the CD’s the teams brought,…”he listens to the songs up and down…and dances to the music, making the whole house shake.”

The Team

Broken Walls (Jonathan Maracle – Mohawk, Vocals, Guitar, Mohawk Wind flute, Bill Pagaran – Tlingit, Drums, Kris DeLorenzi – Bass, Vocals) For more information about Broken Walls, their music CD’s and DVD and other products here Created to Dance (Robert Soto – Lipan Apache, Fancy Dancer, Homer Hinojosa – Lipan Apache/Cherokee/Blackfoot, Fancy Dancer, Trey Adams – Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer, Orena Monahan – Quechan, Jingle/Fancy Shawl Dancer, Erika Monaham  Quechan, Fancy Shawl Dancer, Chelsea Flores – Lipan Apache, Southern Traditional Dancer) More information about Created to Dance, their music CD’s etc. here This tour was made possible by a very dedicated, generous, and hardworking team of organizers in Germany. We are all very thankful for their vision and tireless work to make it possible for the team to share their culture and faith in Jesus.

Warrior, Ride the Wind from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Southern Traditional, Traditional, Feather Dancers (Created to Dance) enter the arena at Altensteig, Germany to Broken Walls singing “Warrior, Ride the Wind.”

Dancing for Creator from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Broken Walls and Created to Dance share their beautiful culture through song and dance with the German people in Haitersbach and Nagold

Beautiful Feet from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Created to Dance members joining the Music of Broken Walls. “Beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim Good News.”

Indianweek 2010 Deutschland from YWAM Native Ministries on Vimeo.

Filed Under: Articles, News, Outreach, Video Tagged With: Culture, First Nations, Native American, Video

Native Messengers for Jesus

June 7, 2010 by admin 1 Comment

A small group of wonderful German friends have diligently and competently organized an outreach for a Native and First Nations Dance Team to Germany. Not only that, they have raised the funds for the airline tickets for the team of ten members and will also provide all housing, meals and transportation while in Germany.

Their intent is to offer an opportunity for cultural exchange and the sharing of the Good News of God’s kingdom through their beautiful dances, music, and art. From July 16 through August 2, 2010 we (Volkhard & Marianne) are privileged to accompany the team in our home country, with the great hope that our Native friends will be able to reach many Germans with their unique gifts and talents.

The team is made up of “Broken Walls,” a professional Native group, led by Jonathan Maracle (Mohawk) that is well known throughout Canada and the United States. They have performed at many different locations in North America and Europe, such as URBANA, published a number of CD’s, a DVD and won “Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards for their recordings. Besides Broken Walls, a colorful team of Hoop, Fancy, Traditional, and Shawl Dancers from the Southwestern US, led by Robert Soto, (Lipan Apache) will be part of the team.

They will perform at three large open-air venues to which the organizers expect hundreds of people each, as well as several church services and other venues. You will be able to find updated information about the team at www.indianweek.de For those who might be in the area, we would like to extend our invitation to join us for colorful, exciting performances. If you you know others who might be interested, please forward this information to them.

Indianweek Program, German (PDF, 6.7 MB)

Native Teams in Germany 2010
Broken Walls in Germany
Pastor Robert Soto

Filed Under: Outreach, Resources Tagged With: Culture, Mission, News

Father, Faith & Family

June 25, 2009 by VolkhardG Leave a Comment

billpooie

Recently, (June 21, 2009) our local area newspaper, the Lewiston Morning Tribune published a great article on the Picard family (Nez Perce) from Lapwai. They share how Jesus helped them through the tragic events in which they lost two of their sons within a year, and how he continues to use them to bring wholeness to their sons friends. If you like to find out more about their journey see this document:


Father, Faith –

Filed Under: Articles, News Tagged With: Culture, Discipleship, Faith, Jesus Christ, Native American, Nez Perce, Relationships

What is YWAM?

February 2, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

We are YWAM!

Get Involved!

Filed Under: Resources, Video Tagged With: Culture, Discipleship, Native American, Obedience, Relationships, Video, Vision

What is a Mini-Discipleship-Training-School (DTS)?

January 8, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

A Mini-DTS consists of a 4 week course of interactive lectures, study, small groups and outreach, designed to lay a firm foundation in the students life for a fulfilling and fruitful Christian walk and to help prepare them to become involved in Christian leadership and worldwide missions. It would consist of:

Learning and growing together
Learning and growing together

A culturally sensitive presentation of YWAM values and Discipleship Training School (DTS) teachings, with lecture phase and outreach lasting no longer than 4 weeks for each Mini-DTS. Subjects focused on are:

[Read more…] about What is a Mini-Discipleship-Training-School (DTS)?

Filed Under: Get Involved, Resources Tagged With: Culture, Discipleship, missions, Obedience, Relationships

Video: Indigenous Theologians Discuss Christianity and Culture

January 4, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

Indigenous theologians Richard Twiss, Raymond Aldred, and Terry LeBlanc offer their perspectives on the interaction between Christian faith and Native American identity, and the relationships between religion, culture, and the gospel.

Filed Under: Video Tagged With: Culture, Discipleship, Reconciliation, Video

“Two Rivers” –An example of walking out Reconciliation

January 2, 2009 by admin Leave a Comment

“Two Rivers” documents the true story of a Native American Reconciliation group that began in a couple’s home in Northern Washington State. Within five years many more had joined, and together they launched social and political reconciliation initiatives that changed their community, and race relations across the Northwest.

Two Rivers Movie Trailer

Filed Under: Resources Tagged With: Culture, Reconciliation, Relationships

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