Native Americans

Mississippian World Tree: A Cosmological Concept Similar to Norse Mythology

Weirdo

Similar to Norse mythology, the Mississippian Native Americans held a cosmological belief system that involved a World Tree.

Their World Tree was a central element of their belief system, and it was believed to be a conduit between the upper and lower worlds. The tree was considered to be the axis of the world, and its roots were believed to connect the earthly plane to the underworld, while its branches extended to the heavens.

Interestingly, the Mississippian World Tree was often depicted with a serpent coiled around its trunk, which is a motif found in many other world mythologies. This serpent symbolized the cycle of death and rebirth, which was an important aspect of the Mississippian worldview.

The US Army tradition of naming helicopters….

Weirdo

The US Army tradition of naming helicopters after Native American Tribes (something that was once an official regulation) dates to 1947 and General Hamilton Howze who felt that helicopters were meant to attack the flank and fade away…in the tradition of the Plains Indian tribes.

US Army Aviation was centered in Fort Sill Oklahoma, which has a substantial Native American population.

When the Cobra attack helicopters were named, the Native American tribes inquired why it wasn’t named after a tribe. The Army responded by saying that it was avoiding potential offense by naming an outright weapon of war after a tribe.

The tribes responded by declaring there were many tribes proud of their warrior heritage whose members would love having attack choppers like the Apache named after them.

Sitting Bull had become responsible…

Weirdo

Sitting Bull had become responsible for an extended family that had grown rather large. As a result, his mother requested that he restrain himself in battle and not be as aggressive so as to prevent major injury or death. He did as she asked, but his hard-earned reputation as a fierce warrior suffered when the other men noticed his hesitation. During battle with the US Army, he calmly took his pipe and smoked it while bullets were flying over his head. After a few minutes, he calmly packed up his pipe and walked home. His men’s faith was restored.