Salt-Pilgrimage: How Its Significant

The most interesting aspect of the readings was the significance of salt in rituals for the Tohono O'odham tribe. At first, I was confused why salt was an integral part of the O'odham tribes' ritual for manhood. I understand that the ocean is seen as a powerful entity that is capable of granting power to the young men of the tribe. Why, then, is salt from the ocean instead of the water itself used in the rituals for manhood? One reason may be that the ocean is holy because the water is sacred. Consequently, taking water from the ocean is devaluing the divinity of the ocean and disrespects nature. Also, the O'odham tribe view the Ocean as a person, feeling its influence whenever they gaze upon it. Perhaps the tribe views salt as a gift from the ocean and that this is the key to absorbing the ocean's power. However, its interesting that the tribe uses the ocean for their advantage much like they utilize land for economic reasons. The balance of worship and usage of nature raises questions on Native American spirituality. Can you still respect and honor the land and use it for purposes that differ from its apparent function? The way in which Native Americans connect with the land seems to contradict and only the tribes themselves understand the balance.

Another interesting factor in the ritual of salt-pilgrimage is the purpose of pilgrimage. Its interesting that young boys must go through a rite of passage through this pilgrimage in order to be a man. Manhood, by the O'odham's standards, revolves around one's appeal to the fathers of eligible girls. Their destiny that they receive from visions will essentially mark their eligibility to marriage. Why, then are women barred from this process of self-pilgrimage? Do they have another rite of self-passage that makes them eligible towards men? If the reason man have visions through Salt-pilgrimage is due to the fact that it gives them power, this implies the tribe has a firm distinction of gender roles. Furthermore, salt-pilgrimage suggests power from nature defines manhood.