Ceremonies

   One of the basic tenets of the Quapaw religion was a fundamental respect for all things. Therefore, the Quapaw surrounded the taking of the respected beings' (animals') lives with elaborate ceremony and ritual. Immediately before the hunt, they would fast. After the hunt, they would have a ceremony celebrating the animal and giving thanks.

   The Calumet ceremony is one of the best known Quapaw ceremonies because it was held to cement relations with outsiders. Hence, when the Europeans first contacted the Quapaw, the Quapaw would hold an elaborate calumet ceremony to create kinship ties with the Europeans. This ceremony involved feasting and smoking the calumet --commonly known as the "peace pipe." This ceremony was also used to forge alliances with other tribes.

   The Quapaw are a very close-knit group. They look out for each other and for the general welfare of the tribe. The Peach Seed, or Orphan, ceremony is a good example of their willingness to care for members of the tribe who lost their father. Since the Quapaw were a patrilineal tribe, great importance was placed on having a father. When a Quapaw child lost his or her father, a Peach Seed ceremony was held. All of the men in the tribe would sit in a circle with the orphan(s) in the middle. The orphans were given peach seeds and instructed to give the peach seed to one of the men in the circle. Whomever the child gave the peach seed was obligated to act as the child's new father and take care of him or her.