Religious Life Among the Nez Perce
The Nez Perce were long a religious group of people who observed festivals and holidays. Their religion was primitive, yet they did have prevalent creation stories that centered on well- known and easily located places in the Idaho and Montana areas. The missionaries who came to the people fund a group of natives who desired to learn about their God and even began to dress differently and worship as the missionaries did. Although they outwardly observed it, many missionaries stated how little some of their customs actually changed. In spite of this, the Nez Perce danced, prayed, sang and worshiped some form of a god.
Marriage and Funeral Customs
The marriage customs of the tribe were not very binding, although they actually had marriages. The girls were given to young men by the parents, rather than by the man's choice. With very loose bonds, the wives were put away at leisure and another one chosen if they desired. The women could also leave their husband over very small things, creating an equality of the two that no other tribes practiced.
Funerals were solemn and sad occasions for the Indians. They took it very seriously when a member of their tribe died, the same as any of us would do today if a family member died. The tribe was close like a family and everyone mourned together. The Nez Perce buried their people in mounds, covered with grass. At a funeral of a great chief, the people gathered around his grave, mourning in different ways. The warriors showed little emotion and silent; while the women and children cried and wailed in loud voices. They stayed three days, performing dances for the dead chief and praying that his spirit would be at peace. Another of their customs, before they were done, was to kill horses to go with him to his hunting grounds in the afterlife. This was typical of any funeral, although horses would not be killed for a woman or child.
Funerals were solemn and sad occasions for the Indians. They took it very seriously when a member of their tribe died, the same as any of us would do today if a family member died. The tribe was close like a family and everyone mourned together. The Nez Perce buried their people in mounds, covered with grass. At a funeral of a great chief, the people gathered around his grave, mourning in different ways. The warriors showed little emotion and silent; while the women and children cried and wailed in loud voices. They stayed three days, performing dances for the dead chief and praying that his spirit would be at peace. Another of their customs, before they were done, was to kill horses to go with him to his hunting grounds in the afterlife. This was typical of any funeral, although horses would not be killed for a woman or child.