If you read my last blog post, you know that I recently traveled to Costa Rica. One of my favorite things I got to do there was visiting a group of indigenous people and learning about their culture. It got me thinking, “What cultural traditions and lessons could I learn from the native peoples in my own home state?” Thus, I was inspired to learn more.
When I got back home I started researching a tribe called the Oneida. They originally lived in New York State, but due to unfair treaties during the early 20th century, most of their homeland was taken away by the federal government. Many people needed to sell their land and leave in order to survive. Today, the Oneida people are thriving again. I was delighted to learn that many of their traditions and values are being preserved today. One such ancient tradition that continues today is the planting of what they call “the three sisters,” corn, squash, and beans. This unsuspecting pairing of plants has surprising benefits for not just the environment but for the people who eat these foods too. The three sisters sustained the ancient tribe while also supporting their deeply held respect for nature. Moreover, it became an integral part of their culture.
There was a good reason the ancient Oneida also referred to the Three Sisters as the Sustainers of life. The three made up the main component of their diet since they seldom ate meat. However, they did not lack nutritionally because of this. The pairing actually made a very nutritious meal, and the amino acids of the Three Sisters were complimentary forming a complete protein. Additionally, the white corn they grew (as opposed to yellow corn) contained slowly releasing carbohydrates that aided in preventing disease. It truly was a magical combination.
As for the Three Sister’s impact on the environment, these three crops worked together in harmony. As the corn stalks grew tall, they became a trellis for the beans. Bacteria that lived on the bean plants produced nitrogen which fertilized the corn and squash. The wide leaves of the squash plants helped too by covering the ground which fended off weeds and held in moisture. All of these factors combined making it a very eco-friendly way to grow crops. In fact, the Three Sisters yielded up to 20 percent more produce and required less land and less fertilizer than if grown separately. The ancient Oneida were brilliant when it came to agriculture.
The ingenuity of it all is very impressive. However, what I found to be most inspiring is how the Oneida viewed the environment. I don’t just mean the ancient Oneida, but the modern Oneida too. Harvest is seen as a cause for celebration. Oneida families come together to collect corn from the fields, share stories, and prepare food. For something as simple as corn, they seem to be incredibly grateful. This is evident in their use of corn in ceremonies and as a cornerstone of their people. From what I’ve read online, they appear to be just as appreciative of what their gardens yield them as their ancestors were. I hope that I can be a little bit more appreciative of the food I have. Even if it came from a grocery store, it still likely took a great deal of resources for it to make it to me.
You know what’s cool? You can try planting your own small Three Sisters Garden! Check out https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-interworking-of-the-three-sisters/ and scroll to the bottom of the page for directions!
Thanks for reading! ʕ•́ᴥ•̀ʔっ
Sources:
https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-interworking-of-the-three-sisters/
https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/history/
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