The Lenape Big House (Xinkwekan) Ceremony: A Brief Synopsis

By Tom Big Warrior

As I sit here I realize this is the time of year (0ctober during the full moon) when the Big House Ceremony was celebrated by our people. It was last performed in 1924. I believe this sacred ceremony was given to our people with the instruction that it be performed annually, and by doing so, this celebration would prevent great catastrophes such as tornadoes, weak food harvests, floods, etc. from harming  the world's population.

On a day appointed by the leader, people would be sent out to notify the Nation villages of the start of the ceremony. Meanwhile someone who had been gifted with a vision wherein the location of a male bear would be found, would share this vision  with the appointed leader. He in turn would send out a group to go and call the bear and ask that he present himself at the Xinkwekan. It is believed the bear would allow the group to guide him to the Xinkwekan where he would lower his head and allow his life to be sacrificed for the good of the world. His hide would be removed and it would replace the one from the previous year's ceremony on the center post of the Big House.

This center post had two masks carved in it, one on either side, facing East & West. There were two doors, one on the Eastern side, the other on the Western side. The Eastern door was used to enter and exit, the Western used to discard ashes from the fire. There were also ten other similar masks on poles along the inside walls of the Xinkwekan.

Once the bear had been butchered and stored, the people would begin to enter at sunset to start the ceremony.  It would begin with the chief making a lengthy prayer honoring and giving thanks for everything and everyone's safety. Once he finished he would then begin to recite/sing his vision song and dance. Those who wished could join in.

Once he finished he would pass the Kataxoxi Kowanin (Turtle Shell Rattle) until it stopped with someone who also had received a vision and had a song to recite. This would continue sometimes all night until all male vision songs were sung.

Once the Kataxoxi Kowanin arrived back to the leader, the ceremony would be concluded, but first the attendants would feed all those in attendance a bowl of hominy and receive wampum as payment.

The first three days were similar. The fourth day the leader would call for his appointed hunters; also the Mesing'w ["masked spirit"] would attend. Prayer would be made for the deer and for the hunter's success. They would be fed and packed food provided. They were instructed, if a deer was quickly shot, to send a hunter back quickly with it. He would announce his arrival with a single gunshot. The people would gather quickly and begin praying for the deer's spirit and also to give thanks. The remaining hunters  return on the sixth day with the remaining game.

The vision songs continue every day until the ninth. On this night the ashes are removed from the old fire and the New Fire is started. The ashes are tossed out the Western door. A ceremonial fire drill is used by a "pure of heart" male to start the New Fire, which symbolizes new life, unity and rebirth. Old grudges are tossed away, then vision songs continue until the twelfth evening, when the women recite their vision songs.

Once the morning comes, the men take over and close the ceremony. All in attendance exit the Xinkwekan single file, facing the East. Raising their left hands, they let out a prayer chant (Hooo) 12 times. After this everyone feasts on the remaining food. 

Originally the Xinkwekan was constructed of bark, but over time it was built of logs. While in use, the Xinkwekan was cared for, but over time and disuse, it has returned to Mother Earth.

This is only a brief explanation of the Xinkwekan. I hope it provides you with a basic understanding. WANISHI!