Hunting Prayers and Rituals
I had an in-depth conversation about hunting last night with a friend of mine who has never been before. In the course of the discussion, the topic of prayers and rituals performed to honor the animal, like many Native American tribes practiced, came up. I think he was a little surprised to find out I actually have a prayer I say over every animal I kill.
My grandfather was a fast friend with a full-blood Indian (for the life of me, I can’t remember which tribe) and they often hunted together over the years. I believe it was him that taught my grandfather an old Indian prayer honoring the animal and giving thanks to it for giving its life so that they could eat. When I was old enough, it was something my grandfather passed on to me.
Over the years, I have changed it and it has become a deeply personal and private thing between the animal and me. I think some people find it strange, even somewhat ludicrous, but it is something I don’t share with anyone else for those exact reasons. It somehow seems that by doing so, it would lessen the sincerity of it.
I know the concept and practice of doing such prayers and/or rituals are something many other hunters besides just me do. I thought it would be interesting to see how many of you, my readers, may actually do something like this. Considering how personal and private the one I do is to me, no one has to actually say word for word or action for action what theirs is; just saying you have one is enough. If you don’t mind sharing it, though, it would be interesting to see exactly what it entails.
I look forward to hearing your responses.
hunting, traditions, rituals, prayers, respect, honor, Native Americans, Indians
March 30th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
I’m not a hunter, yet, so I don’t have a personal prayer that I say. I have, however, seen many people discuss this very issue on forums. A lot of hunters say they have a moment of silence, shed a tear or say a prayer or just “Thank You” over the animal.
Personally I think having such a ritual is what separates hunters from the “killers” the anti-hunting population would like to say hunters are.
March 30th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
As you know ,hunting is a passion of mine.I have killed many deer.But I have shed a tear for every one,Plus, I say a prayer,and give thanks.
For the life,I just took,provided food for my famiy.
On one eccasion,my deer went the other way,,I belive a prayer,sent that same deer back,
My first deer with the black powder.
So yes,this is what I strongly belive in.
March 31st, 2007 at 1:48 am
I do not have prayer but I spend a little time in the quiet reflecting the hunt and admire the animal. The feeling in me is one of happiness and sadness at the same time. That we hunters have feelings for the animal we hunt is something many non-hunters cannot understand. My father was the owner of a meat processing plant and a hunter. We heard him often say to fellow hunters or workers at the meat plant. “You have to respect the animal that provides us with nutritious food and keeps us well.”
-Othmar Vohringer-
December 1st, 2007 at 9:49 pm
For every animal I harvest weather it is for food or fur I thank it in prayer. Its life ended to keep my life going and I thank it for that sacrifice.