The Almanac of Expierence

           The novel Almanac of the Dead by Leslie Silko explores the rich history and final journey of the Native Americans in the North American Southwest. The novel displays the social interaction and assimilation of a new, young generation of Native Americans through the reflection of Calabazas, a Yaquis Native American residing in the city of Tucson, in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. Calabazas uses frequent references to the harsh reality of the desert and the oppressive nature of residing on the mountaintops with fellow Yaquis holdouts against the approach of the American and Mexican Armies. Calabazas gives a emotional account of the culture and society of the dominating White Europeans society and their relationship with the Native Americans whom they were subjugating. This is a story of the survival of dying society and the end to a historical saga spanning over four hundred years.
          Calabazas recalls the hiding out on the high ragged peaks dotting the Sonoran Desert. Calabazas refers to the migration and conquering European culture as the "blood-drinking Beast".(Silko 223). Calabazas recalls the story of Geronimo as he made guerrilla style attacks against the Mexican Army as he sought sanctuary in Yaqui strongholds.The blood-drinking Beast that represents the European culture, regardless of the language they spoke, were dangerous because they suffered "from a blindness to the world, unable to classify in depth any of the natural landscapes they encountered"(Silko 224). According to Calabazas, this weakness enabled the Native American scouts employed by the European armies deceived them allowing the escape of the Yaqui women and children. In addition, the lack of close inspection by the Mexican and American Armies led to the creation of "four Geronimo's", whom they sought fiercely. In a way, Calabazas views the hunt for the Four Geronimo as nothing but entertainment for the white masses, taking photographs of captured "Geronimo's". By recalling his past, Calabazas remembers the "pig-anus De Guzman, who hunted Yaqui to enslave for his silver mines"(Silko 234). De Guzman is identified as an Indian hunter being one of countless hordes. One of the key subjugating factors of American expansion West is the spread of Christianity. Calabazas realizes in a conversation with his wife's sister, Liria, that his wife "has become unusually devoted to the Church and to the altar society, she was in love with the monsignor"(Silko 239). This defeats Calabazas because he finally realizes the speed by which his culture is becoming assimilated and destroyed. Finally, Calabazas visits his Uncle Brito, a constantly indebted gambler, whose untimely death leaves Calabazas realizing that Brito's death leaves a chasm of power over all of them, unable to be replaced. The excerpts presented by Calabazas are meant to explain the painful reality that assimilating into the white European society produces.

Silko, Leslie. Almanac of the Dead: a Novel. New York: Penguin, 1992. Print.

Language as a Weapon

          Language plays the main role in human interaction. This interaction occurs in the public and private spheres of existence. According to the book Reinventing the Enemy's Language, the act of communicating for the Native Americans (First Nations or American Indians for the politically correct) is an extension of their historical culture and personal emotion blended together in a society. America's colonization process was often brutal for the Native American, who encountered many of the ills that occur when two distinctly opposite cultures are vying for the same geographical regions. Unfortunately, the conquerors were able to suppress the Native Americans through means technological and cultural. Often times, this suppression culturally would trickle down to the Native American women.
             The Euro-American conquerors employed many methods for suppressing the Native American culture including the enforcement of language laws and government funded re-education schools. The colonization process began with the elimination of Native American language. The Native Americans see English as the "enemy's" language and with good reason. The English settlers took advantage of the fact that Native American languages use many references to nature to convey a messages. Discovery by the settlers led to the taking of land, children, and livelihoods. In the Native American community, women have taken important steps to earn educations, trade-skills, and break ground for other aspiring Native Americans. However, educated Native Americans are given a "site of privilege" (28). This site of privilege means the authentic voices of the conventional Native American is not heard. By not including the voices of all Native Americans, they commit the same travesties that the Euro-Americans committed when they were busy conquering the plains of the Midwestern North American continent. The Native American women is at war trying to maintain "the traditions of the home from radical organizations, but they have not had to fight the Native American man for control" (30). Language provides conflict because it represents the basic means of the human interactive and communicative experience. The Euro-American took from the Native American an important and distinct tool of cultural identity. Alas, by removing this symbol of independence, the conqueror is able to assimilate and control the subordinated, the women.