Post by blackcrowheart on Aug 22, 2006 23:17:51 GMT -5
Ancient rites unite couple at Pow Wow
By REBECCA BAKER ERWIN
rerwin@lohud.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: August 20, 2006)
KENT — When Penny Ann Osborn wrapped a soft, patterned blanket around Gil Cryinghawk Tarbox last night, the Kent couple truly became husband and wife.
They had exchanged vows in a civil ceremony a few minutes earlier, but were married again in a traditional American Indian wedding at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park during this weekend's Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow.
"They belong together — they have the same heart," said Osborn's daughter, 24-year-old Brooke Taylor of Kent.
Tarbox has organized the powwow for six years and represents the Wappinger Indians, who lived in what are now Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. He is a descendant of the Micmac and Passamaquoddy Indians, while Osborn is a descendent of the Northern Cheyenne Indians.
Dozens of friends and relatives gathered under the pavilion to see the couple tie the knot after being together seven years.
Putnam Valley Councilman Dan Ricci, a longtime friend of the couple, performed the civil ceremony, but the American Indian rites held more meaning for them.
"We make it legal in the state of New York, and then we have it recognized by our Creator," Tarbox said.
The rainy weather may have been a blessing, Tarbox said. The water brought the spirits of their ancestors to the ceremony, which typically has the bride and groom joining together in a river or lake.
"The rain will make up for not being in the stream," he said.
Drumbeats and chanting opened the ceremony when the bride, wearing a white native dress with white fringe and green beading, was escorted into the circle by her 21-year-old son, D.J.
Osborn found a basket, a hunting knife and the blanket on the ground, which Tarbox had given her as gifts. Osborn presented the gifts to a series of elders, who inspected and approved them with faux skepticism.
"Hopefully, with luck, (the basket) will always be full," said Evan Pritchard of Saugerties, N.Y., a descendent of Micmac Indians who was one of the elders.
"It's OK. I don't plan on picking a lot of berries," Osborn said, eliciting one of the many moments of laughter during the ceremony.
As she held the gifts, Osborn's daughter and Wendy Matewson, her sister, lovingly pointed out some of Tarbox's bad habits — snoring, mumbling and questionable fashion sense among them — as part of the tradition.
After the elders approved the final gift — the blanket — Osborn wrapped it around herself, walked around in a circle and approached Tarbox, wearing a feathered headdress and a fox pelt around his shoulder.
When she opened the blanket for him, he joined her in an embrace, and their families and friends cheered and applauded.
Chief Wounded Pony of the Abenaki Indians of Rhode Island, who directed the ceremony, tied their wrists together and declared them to be married.
"Now you will feel no rain," he said. "Now you will feel no cold."
Osborn's neighbors, Nancy and Ted Przetakiewicz of Kent, snapped photos of the ceremony and wished the newlyweds well.
"I think they're made for each other," Ted Przetakiewicz said. "I think it's perfect."
By REBECCA BAKER ERWIN
rerwin@lohud.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: August 20, 2006)
KENT — When Penny Ann Osborn wrapped a soft, patterned blanket around Gil Cryinghawk Tarbox last night, the Kent couple truly became husband and wife.
They had exchanged vows in a civil ceremony a few minutes earlier, but were married again in a traditional American Indian wedding at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park during this weekend's Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow.
"They belong together — they have the same heart," said Osborn's daughter, 24-year-old Brooke Taylor of Kent.
Tarbox has organized the powwow for six years and represents the Wappinger Indians, who lived in what are now Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. He is a descendant of the Micmac and Passamaquoddy Indians, while Osborn is a descendent of the Northern Cheyenne Indians.
Dozens of friends and relatives gathered under the pavilion to see the couple tie the knot after being together seven years.
Putnam Valley Councilman Dan Ricci, a longtime friend of the couple, performed the civil ceremony, but the American Indian rites held more meaning for them.
"We make it legal in the state of New York, and then we have it recognized by our Creator," Tarbox said.
The rainy weather may have been a blessing, Tarbox said. The water brought the spirits of their ancestors to the ceremony, which typically has the bride and groom joining together in a river or lake.
"The rain will make up for not being in the stream," he said.
Drumbeats and chanting opened the ceremony when the bride, wearing a white native dress with white fringe and green beading, was escorted into the circle by her 21-year-old son, D.J.
Osborn found a basket, a hunting knife and the blanket on the ground, which Tarbox had given her as gifts. Osborn presented the gifts to a series of elders, who inspected and approved them with faux skepticism.
"Hopefully, with luck, (the basket) will always be full," said Evan Pritchard of Saugerties, N.Y., a descendent of Micmac Indians who was one of the elders.
"It's OK. I don't plan on picking a lot of berries," Osborn said, eliciting one of the many moments of laughter during the ceremony.
As she held the gifts, Osborn's daughter and Wendy Matewson, her sister, lovingly pointed out some of Tarbox's bad habits — snoring, mumbling and questionable fashion sense among them — as part of the tradition.
After the elders approved the final gift — the blanket — Osborn wrapped it around herself, walked around in a circle and approached Tarbox, wearing a feathered headdress and a fox pelt around his shoulder.
When she opened the blanket for him, he joined her in an embrace, and their families and friends cheered and applauded.
Chief Wounded Pony of the Abenaki Indians of Rhode Island, who directed the ceremony, tied their wrists together and declared them to be married.
"Now you will feel no rain," he said. "Now you will feel no cold."
Osborn's neighbors, Nancy and Ted Przetakiewicz of Kent, snapped photos of the ceremony and wished the newlyweds well.
"I think they're made for each other," Ted Przetakiewicz said. "I think it's perfect."