Visiting in Former Times

One of the skills we seem to have lost, or discarded, over the past couple of generations is the art of the visit.

Before the arrival of the electronic age the Mohawks of former times relied on personal contact to exchange information, share news and entertain themselves with stories and music.

No appointment was needed, no need to call ahead or to set aside time to visit; when it felt right families and friends would walk across the village or fields or take to their boats and canoes carrying food, cards, musical instruments to share.

Arrival could be anytime but since the Mohawks had a natural inclination to help they would come when they knew wood was being chopped, a field sowed, fish cleaned or the yard raked. Without being asked they picked up an axe, rake or hoe to do the task at hand. They enjoyed physical labor and the conversations that marked the job, using techniques handed down over many generations.

They knew how to stimulate the growth of plants by singing to the seeds and that time went faster if they traded stories. Laughter resonated around the homes and across the waters as the stories took shape and the teasing began.

Food was shared as part of the visit. Since most families raised most of what they ate it was easy to take sturgeon from the fish box, a few pounds of potatoes or a bag of fresh picked apples was enough to share and make for pleasant, healthy meals. Nothing chemical, no flavor enhancements other than a little salt and pepper.

To prepare for a visit the family would wake in the morning and feel the impulse that they should get ready to take that walk or get in the boat, perhaps to drive. They would make sure the children were clean, the elders had their pipes and tobacco, the aunts and uncles called together. Since many of the men worked away most visits took place on the weekends and for many after Sunday Mass.

As was the case before telephones the family who were to serve as hosts also prepared for the visit and since Mohawks were emphatic about sensing events before they took place they knew guests were coming.

The dinner table was made ready, cooking pots placed on the stove, frying pans greased and heated. Corn meal was sifted, potatoes peeled, fish filleted. Children watched and responded to the actions of their parents with excitement building until the guests arrived.

For the parents the work was completed, the tools placed in the shed and the dinner table made ready. As Mohawks few things were as important as sharing the Creator’s gifts and food was the most vital. Conversations among the adults continued during the meal. Serious news would be left for after the meal as they knew food was best digested with laughter.

Personal connections and experiences were best as they flowed naturally into storytelling. Since the Mohawk culture carried across the generations by spoken word there was less reliance on the printed text and more on the nuances of the spoken word.

Visits enabled families to strengthen their bonds and to teach the skill of listening. It was essential for children to carry on the stories of their community and their relatives which could only be done if they listened carefully. They in turn practiced storytelling with their peers, emulating the language and movements of their elders.

Visiting was never an imposition and time was always made for those who made the effort. If there was an electronic device on it was immediately turned off as a sign of respect. It was difficult to compete with the intrusions radios and televisions presented, their blaring harsh and excluding.

Visits made for better relations among cousins as they came to know each other without interference or having to meet at a public event.

Visits were also good for overall communal well-being since it affirmed each individual’s place within the society, given everyone a sense of security and belonging essential in changing times.