Bangles of the Past (Part 1)

The Bangles

Talia

“Talia, look at this!” Ruhi’s voice echoes through the attic, drawing my attention. I turn from examining an old trunk to seeing her holding a dusty box.

“What did you find?” I ask, crossing the room to join her.

She grins and opens the creaky lid, revealing an array of amethyst and two sets of pearl bangles, each adorned with a delicate charm. My eyes widen with curiosity as she carefully lifts one of the bangles.

“These belonged to my grandma,” she explains, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns on the bangle. “Aren’t they beautiful?”

I nod, appreciating the charm of the jewelry. Ruhi slips one onto her wrist. “I love the history in these pieces.”

I take the second bangle, examining the craftsmanship. “They’re gorgeous, Ruhi.”

“Try it on.”

“But it’s not mine—”

“Just try it on”

As we clasp the bangles on, an unexpected warmth envelops our wrists. The room begins to glow, and in an instant, we find ourselves in a place beyond our wildest imagination.

First Nation (Haudenosaunee)

Talia

My eyes dart around in panic. “Ruhi, where are we? What just happened?”

She, equally worried, surveys our surroundings. “I don’t know. It doesn’t look like our neighborhood.”

I check out the clothing the people are wearing—animal fur and skin, porcupine quill accessories, feathers, moccasins, and turbans for the men. Then I look at my clothes, the same as the people around us.

“Wait a sec… are these First Nation people from the past?” I say, my eyes widening.

Ruhi looks at her clothing “I don’t know,” she replies, trying to process the situation.

When she comprehends what I just said, her eyes widen.

“So, you’re saying we’re back in time!?” She says, her voice filled with disbelief. The idea of being sent into a different era hits us both, and I can’t help but feel a mix of fear and awe.

“I guess so… I think we need to complete some sort of… task to get out of here… just like in Jumanji.”

“Oh crap, what could the task be?” Ruhi asks.

“Well… if it’s like Jumanji then maybe we should ask someone—”

“Cause’ they are like NPC’s, right?”

I nod, and we wander through the vibrant crowd. Beautiful decorations catch our attention, adorned with symbols of a celebration. Colorful ribbons dance in the wind, and handcrafted masks line the pathways.

We approach a woman selling pottery and baskets.

“Would you like something?” she says with a smile.

I step back, eyeing Ruhi with surprise. How is the woman speaking English if we’re in the past? Maybe it has something to do with the bangles.

“No thank you, but we do have a question,” I ask.

The woman pauses for a moment, her smile fading briefly “Go ahead”

“We—” I trail off trying to look for words scattered in my brain.

“We are outsiders and mean no harm,” Ruhi says, stepping in to rescue me. “We’ve come to learn more about your community and its traditions.”

“Well, then you’ve come at the perfect time. We are celebrating the Midwinter Ceremony. Surely, you’ve heard of it,” the woman says, looking at us for a hint of realization, but we only draw blanks.

When we don’t reply she continues, “During Midwinter, we express gratitude for the past year’s harvest and pray for a successful one ahead. It’s a time of reflection and hope, a celebration of the cycles of nature that sustain us.”

One of the five amethyst on the bangle glows. After a short pause, Ruhi grasps the meaning and leans in, saying, “Five questions”.

I nod in agreement.

“Could you tell us more?” I ask.

“Yes, follow me.”

We nod and trail behind her.

“What would you like to know?” she prompts, inviting our questions.

“Are there ever instances of mistrust or secrecy among the leaders?”

The woman’s eyes narrow, and a fleeting expression of suspicion passes over her face. “Why do you seek such information? Our ceremonies are rooted in trust and unity,” she replies cautiously.

Ruhi and I exchange a quick glance, sensing a shift in the atmosphere. Before we can provide any clarification, the surroundings blur, and suddenly, we’re back amidst the Midwinter Ceremony. The rhythmic drumming and ceremonial chants engulf us, replacing the attic with the vibrant celebration.

“Did our question bring us back here?” Ruhi says a mixture of confusion in her eyes.

“It’s like the bangles reset everything. Maybe our question was too… easy and so we got… teleported back to… well here” I say.

“At least now we know that we have to ask five questions… that are not easy, to leave”

“Let’s be fast” I say.

_________________

We introduce ourselves to another women named Aiyana and ask her about the celebration. One of the amethyst glows and I high five Ruhi.

“Could you tell us about some of the… technology?” I ask.

Aiyana’s eyes light up as she begins “Ah… our technology is deeply connected to the land and the resources around us,” Aiyana begins, her voice carrying the pride of generations. “Even today, we craft tools from materials found in our surroundings. Stone tools, such as arrowheads and knives, are skillfully crafted to meet various needs.”

She gestures toward a display of nicely carved stone tools nearby. “These tools aren’t just practical, they’re a reflection of our deep understanding and respect for the natural world.

“We use Birchbark canoes for navigating the waterways, and the art of pottery allows us to store and cook food. Wampum belts, crafted from shells, serve as not only a form of currency but also a means of recording our history and agreements.”

Aiyana continues “Our people are skilled farmers, cultivating the ‘Three Sisters’—corn, beans, and squash—using a technique known as companion planting.”

“Have your people… interacted with any other… civilizations?”

Aiyana reflects on the question, “Yes, we have! For example, we have engaged in trade, alliances, and conflicts with tribes like Algonquian peoples, Anishinaabe, Dakota, and Ho-Chunk. Interactions with the Dutch, French, and British brought recent technologies, enriching culture.”

We listen to her, mesmerized by the interesting history of the First Nation people.

“What about… gender roles?” Ruhi says carefully, trying not to be rude.

Aiyana smiles, appreciating Ruhi’s curiosity. “Ah, gender roles have always been deeply rooted in balance and mutual respect. Both men and women play vital roles within our communities.”

“That sounds progressive. Are there specific roles for men and women?” I ask.

Aiyana nods, “Certainly, but it is more about recognizing strengths rather than confining individuals to rigid roles.”

Ruhi, impressed, adds, “How do daily tasks work?”

Aiyana explains, “Tasks are shared based on strengths. Men in hunting, while women are often involved in farming. It is about contributing to the well-being of the community.”

Talia reflects, “So, it is more about what you can bring to the table rather than what gender you are?”

Aiyana smiles, “Exactly. Our society recognizes the value of each individual, as a sense of equality.”

Ruhi, deep in thought, says, “It’s nice to hear about a society that values everyone’s strengths.”

Talia adds, “I wish more societies adopted this approach. It seems like it could lead to a more balanced and harmonious community.”

I take a quick peek at my bangle, one more to go.

“What about the political structure?” I say, eager to go back home.

“The Clan Mothers, wise elder women, play a key role in selecting leaders, including Chiefs representing each nation. Discussions guided by the wisdom of Clan Mothers sought resolutions to maintain harmony.”

All the amethysts on our bangles light up. Ruhi and I exchange nods.

I say to Aiyana, “Thanks for sharing all this. We’ve got to get going now.”

We locate a dimly lit alley and stand side by side. Connecting our bangles, a bright light emanates from the intertwined jewelry, filling the alley with an otherworldly glow. Ruhi and I are about to step in it when she asks, “Talia, I’ve heard about something called the Great Law of Peace. Can you tell me a bit about it?“

A rush of excitement hits me as I spill the details, “Oh, the Great Law of Peace? It’s a super important document credited to two awesome folks—Deganawida and Hiawatha. They basically brought the original five nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy together. It’s all about working together, talking things out, and having this cool system of doing things.”

As we wrap up, Ruhi gives me a friendly nudge and says, “You know, Talia, you’re way smarter than you let on. Explaining all these historical things like a total pro!”

I chuckle, and shoot back, “Well, history has got its own kind of charm. Maybe I’ve got a secret talent for this history stuff.”

Ruhi grins, “Or maybe you’d make an awesome history teacher. Seriously, you’d rock it!”

The radiant light seems to transform the narrow passage into a gateway, ready to transport us once again.