Respect for the natural world is embedded in their culture and traditions. The moon and stars have a special significance for Native Americans. On Friday, October 2, at the Institute for American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, visitors will find out why the moon is so important to the rhythm of Native American life when they participate in the Full Moon Falling Leaves Walk that begins at 7 p.m.
Susan Scherf, IAIS Museum Educator, and Ecologist will lead an invigorating and easy walk on the trails of the museum that makes social distancing easy. It is a short but moderate walk along the museum's trails that lets participants experience the woods at night, under a bright harvest moon just like the Eastern Woodland Indians have done for millennia. This experience will give participants an understanding of what the moon meant to Native Americans and how it guided and influenced their daily lives. Early Native Americans had no access to paper calendars but they did keep track of the seasons using the lunar cycle. Learn how the moon alerted Native Americans to the change of the seasons and how they adapted to survive the coming winter. A highlight of this walk is to learn how animals including owls adapted to the change of seasons and why it is important.
The walk concludes with hot apple cider being served around a campfire at the Institute's 16th century replicated Algonkian Village that consists of a massive longhouse, several wigwams, and a three sisters garden. The cost of this event for Non-members of the Institute is $10 per person. Members are free. To register call 860-868-0518 or email general@iaismuseum.org. This event is weather permitting, to confirm please call 860-868-0518 or visit the Institute's Facebook Page on the day of the event. Masks are required in the museum, and outdoors when you are within six feet of other visitors or staff. For an optimal experience, it is suggested that participants bring a flashlight along.
About the Falling Leaves Moon
Traditionally, the full moon, called the Harvest Moon or the Falling Leaves Moon occurs closest to the September equinox, the astronomical start of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun rises later and night falls earlier. What makes this October moon special is that the moon rises above the horizon around sunset. This extra early light in the evening is what makes the October full moon so special; traditionally it gave Native Americans and farmers extra light for harvesting beyond the sunset.
About the Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road, Washington,
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