At Nene Hutke we celebrate Green Corn over four days. If you would like to attend, but cannot make it for all four days, we recommend you attend the first three days (Saturday through Monday). This is our first year starting the ceremony on Saturday and we hope this change makes it easier for everyone to attend.
Green Corn occurs on the new moon closest to the summer solstice and thus falls in either the Eastern or Southern Quadrant of the Square. Symbolically, it is represented by the Eastern Cabin and the Southeastern gate of the Square. It is the time of great thanksgiving to Hesaketemese for the ripening of the corn that ensures the continuation of the People.
It is the Muskogee New Year when all is cleansed and renewed. All past offenses are forgiven; the new fire is kindled at sunrise; and the corn fast is broken. In olden times, this High Holiday was celebrated for four or eight days depending upon the town. Many Squares still observe a four day Green Corn, although day one is a day of arrival and day four a day of departure in most Squares that do so.
As part of the renewal and thanksgiving of Green Corn, the men perform the Feather Dance to “open the sky” and the women perform the Ribbon Dance to “open the earth”. Anciently, this High Holiday was considered so important and held in such esteem and reverence that all citizens of a town were expected to attend. Even today, some Squares levy a fine against a grounds member if they miss Green Corn. We thus encourage all who honor their ancestors and the Muskogee Way to attend Green Corn.
First time visitors please message or call us for driving directions and other important information about this ceremony. We are an open grounds, which means you do not need an invitation to attend. However, we do ask that you communicate with us prior to the ceremony so you can show up prepared and free to participate.
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