From ancient byways to modern highways, glimpses of faith are everywhere...

Monday, December 6, 2010

Huron Carol in the Mohawk Valley

In addition to the usual (and often unusual) renditions of Jingle Bells and O Holy Night, carols from a variety of cultures are making their way into American mainstream Christmas programs.

Case in point:  the Mohawk Valley Chorus’ recent 75th-anniversary Christmas concert...  It not only featured the Huron Carol - but also a delightful (and even interfaith) mix of songs such as Mi Y’malel (Hanukkah praises for Judah Maccabee), Caribbean Carol, and Betelehemu (Nigerian Thanks to the Gracious Father).  Before each of these songs was performed, the audience was treated to a brief account of its historical and cultural significance.

The singing of the Huron Carol is particularly symbolic of the vast changes that have occurred in the Mohawk Valley since the lyrics were originally written in 1643.  The circumstances under which Jesuit missionary Jean de Brebeuf penned these lines were rife with long-standing tension between the Wendat (Huron Iroquois) to the north, and the Haundenosaunee (Mohawk Iroquois) to the south.

Ironically, more and more of that tension began to focus upon the differences between missionary-type
Christianity and Native American traditional ways.  Because of De Brebeuf’s immense dedication, plus
his success in learning the Huron language and customs, he began to convert more and more of the natives to Christianity.  This was perceived as a major threat by the Mohawks, and they burned him at the stake (after slowly torturing him with boiling-water mock baptisms).  

De Brebeuf’s original Huron Carol was called Jesous Ahatonhia (“Jesus, he is born”), and was written entirely in the Huron language.  It included many references that the Hurons could easily relate to.  Latin phrases (in excelsis gloria) are seamlessly interwoven with Native American images (rabbit skin, fox and beaver pelt, hunter braves).  The Lord is referred to as Gitchi Manitou, the Huron term for Great Spirit.

References

http://mohawkvalleychorus.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huron_Carol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Br%C3%A9beuf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandot
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/cmascorner/Huron.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIoe4G32ng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOMPfb4uyX0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHSrRy_Tceo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTxWmxThRz0&feature=related


Copyright December 6, 2010 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved








 

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