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| Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
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My Sacred Land by Chief Seattle The leader of the Red Indians, Chief Seattle lived in North America around 1864, when the Europeans went to North America by about the 16th century Red Indians were already living there. They had been living there long before the arrival of the Europeans. They had a culture entirely of their own. They detested the Europeans trying to occupy their land. The Europeans were in possession of guns. So they drove the Red Indians away to the mountain areas of the country. However, the Red Indians did not succumb to European wishes and fancies. They started attacking European settlers in the surrounding areas. The Red Indians were adamant to defeat them claiming that the land belonged only to the Red Indians. Abraham Lincoln was the president of America at that time. He wanted to settle this never-ending dispute. So he requested the Red Indians to sell their land to the Government. As a reply to the President's request, Chief Seattle made this speech which is preserved in Washington as a historical document and considered as "the most Profound Statement" ever made in relation to the environment. This speech has been translated into many languages. Its sentimental value together with the power of expression-true love and devotion to nature's gifts and to the motherland, touching on the importance of saving their land for their future generations is considered remarkable. Every statement uttered by the Red Indian Chief has sprung from his heart with true love and devotion to their home land. The comparisons he has used juxtapose every statement he has made. "The Red Man has always retreated before the advancing White Man as the mist of the mountain runs before the morning sun". The opening statement is sarcastic "The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land". He says 'TO BUY' in a very ironic manner. This is KIND OF HIM since he has little need of our friendship in return. The chief is convinced of the fact that even if they refrain from selling the White Man may come with guns and take our land. He has made the most profound and true statements regarding The nature's gifts to man. He questions in a sarcastic manner as to how one could buy or sell the sky and the warmth of the land. He stresses the fact that one is not able to sell what one does not possess. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of water how can you buy them? The almost attention and consideration given even to the minute details of the gifts of nature to man is highly stressed by the Red Indian Chief. His genuine feelings for his land stands as his shadow unshaken. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every hearing and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The White Man does not pay heed to nature's lavish gifts or to the living beings on earth. The Red man regards the white man as one who strives for power. Red Indians consider the perfumed flowers, trees, the rocky crests, the animals and birds, the juice in the meadows as members of one family living in harmony and unity. The Red Indian Chief presumes that the white man has contrasting characteristics, It's very sarcastic when he says "He will be our father and we will be his children. So we will consider your offer to buy our land. But it will not be easy for this land is sacred to us". The Red Indian Chief though with reluctance is compelled to accept the offer, stressing the fact that This portion of the earth is consecrated to us. He detests the white man's greediness for power and possession His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind a desert. Chief Seattle's speech is full of pathos that arouses pity and sadness. The ironic statements carry a lot of weight, highlighting the Red Indian's patriotic feeling and degrading the white man's crazy and extreme desire for power. The white man, according to Seattle ............like a man dying for many days he is numb to the stench. The statements in Seattle's speech are logical and philosophical. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also receives his last sigh The analogy used in this speech to convince the white man how man would die from great loneliness of spirit if all the beasts are gone. All things are connected. Showing the repercussions of man's behaviour pattern he says, If men spit on the ground they spit on themselves. The facts given by Seattle stand high above the state of speeches delivered by reputed leaders. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself. The truth that Men come and go like the waves of the sea depicts clearly that white man is no exception to destiny. The Red Indian Chief detests the wrong motives of the white man claiming God as their own. .....He is the GOD of MAN and his compassion is equal to the Red man and the white. The Red Indian Chief's logical statement The end of living and the beginning of survival is remarkable; irrespective of time sequence past, present or future. The Red man's love for earth is highlighted giving extreme importance for they love this earth as the new born loves his mother's heartbeat. He warns the white man of the common destiny though in a cynical manner. ......and with all your heart, all your strength with all your mind, preserve it for your children and love it as God loves us all. His true love and devotion to his land and his people is clearly and profoundly depicted in his words. Free from the greedy desire for personal gains or personal uplift Chief Seattle battled for the rights of his people. His remarkable statement remains alive, honoured, loved and treasured, as one of the best speeches ever made, with a sincere heart sans deception. Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Special Teacher Eng. Lit St. Anne's College, Kurunegala |
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