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.