By: Rachel Tibbs

06/18/10

The Washat Religion

I chose this topic because Native American religion has fascinated me since reading origin stories for a literature class two years ago.

I enjoy learning about the traditions and ceremonies used to connect with and establish a relationship with nature.

The Washat religion is especially interesting because while it is so isolated, existing primarily in one small Plateau area, it is also rich in history and meaning.

Reason for Topic

Drummer-Dreamer Religion 1

Washani Religion

Longhouse Religion

Seven Drum Religion

Sunday Dance Religion

Prophet Dance

Washat’s Other Names 3

All creation is capable of having a spirit, and therefore deserves respect

Because of this belief, followers have a very close relationship with nature

An Animistic Faith 1

“Henry Covington spearing salmon on the Columbia” 2

Smohalla, a Wanapum prophet from the Columbia Plateau

He went on a desert mountain vision quest, and the religion was imparted to him by a bird

Afterward, Smohalla moved to P’Na, a small village on the Columbia River, and introduced its inhabitants, the Wanapums, to Washat

Founder 1

“Once the world was all water and God lived alone. He was lonesome and he had no place to put his foot, so he scratched the sand from the bottom and made the land and he made the rocks and he made trees and he made a man and the man was winged and could go anywhere.

The man was lonesome and God made a woman. They ate fish from the water and God made the deer and other animals. . . Many more men and women grew up and they lived on the banks of the Great River whose waters were full of salmon.”

~ Smohalla, Wanapum prophet, to Major J.W. MacMurray, 1891.

Human Origin Story 2

The earlier name of Drummer-Dreamer Faith was commonly used by natives

The first part, Drummer, was due to the seven drums used in the religion’s traditional dance

The second half, Dreamer, stemmed from Washat followers’ belief that the religion’s “leaders had died, obtained visions from the afterlife (and hence had been ‘dreaming’), then returned from the dead to lead their people.” 1

Drummer-Dreamer 1

Weekly ceremonies consisting of: A meal of water and salmon from the Colombia River 1

A Washat dance, at which traditional food roots are served, such as camas 1

A song of Renevant Worship is sung before eating 5

Traditions

Food server with camas at Washat.5

Wanapums and their guests singing before a Washat meal.5

Washat Dance 5

Begins with the ringing of Smohalla’s bell as dancers stand on either side of the dance mat, facing each other

The last mat lodge in Priest Rapids, formerly P’Na.5

Washat Decorations

Puck Hyah Toot, last Wanapum prophet, with the six-pointed star flag that was owned by Smohalla; this flag is flown only at Washat dances. 5

The Washat Sacred Bird, called Wowshuxkluh, carved by Smohalla.5 It represents the Bullock’s Oriole, which is the bird that gave Smohalla the Washat religion.1

Puck Hyah Toot is a descendant of “Smohalla the Dreamer.”

He now leads Washat ceremonies and dances in Priest Rapids.

Here, he is pictured with a drum featuring a sun, moon, and star: the nature symbols of Washat.1

The Last Prophet 5

The Washat religion’s respect for nature is a popular concept to natives and whites alike

While traditions such as Washat dances and meals remain the same, many Wanapums are now working in local orchards, farms, and industries

Some work on the Priest Rapids Dam, which flooded the Wanapums’ fishing grounds

Current Reawakening 1

Priest Rapids Dam 4

1) McKenzie, Michael. "Washat Religion (Drummer-Dreamer Faith)." 1713-714. Google Scholar. Web. 18 June 2010. <http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/bron/ern/W.pdf>.

2) "Moses Lake: Plateau Neighbors." Center for Columbia River History. The Center for Columbia River History. Web. 18 June 2010. <http://www.ccrh.org/comm/moses/inhab2.html>.

3) "Native American Religion." Wikipedia. Web. 18 June 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_religion>.

4) "Priest Rapids Dam. Columbia River - Hydroelectric Project Information." Columbia Basin Research - School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences - University of Washington. Grant County PUD, 22 Dec. 2008. Web. 18 June 2010. <http://www.cbr.washington.edu/crisp/hydro/prd.html>.

5) Yakima Memory. Yakima Valley Museum and Yakima Valley Libraries. Web. 18 June 2010. <http://yakimamemory.org>.

Works Cited