Another scalping stereotype
posted by Rob at 12:34 AM
August 29, 2006
© 2008 by Rob Schmidt
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4 Comments:
You are right about two of the stereotypes, but I wonder about "blowing smoke". The first image that comes to mind from that phrase is of a cigar smoker puffing in someone's face (not Native related)
This page:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/33/messages/68.html
says the phrase comes from "the performances of stage conjurers who use these devices to hoodwink the audience"
I'd understand "smoke signals" as a stereotype/cliche phrase, but am not so certain on "blowing smoke".
I'm not sure either. But in many tribes, an elder blows smoke on people as a blessing. The act is called smudging and it's done with sage, cedar, or sweetgrass.
For more information, see http://www.asunam.com/smudge_ceremony.html.
I doubt those who use such stereotypical phrases are even aware of this custom of blessing by elders.
Maybe, maybe not. It's impossible to be sure.
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