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 75^th-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