Grade 5 students learn about Seminole culture and customs.
On Tuesday, March 10, over 50 students started out their school day by climbing aboard a yellow bus headed to the Big Cypress Reservation in Hendry County, about an hour away from Ave Maria. Their destination was the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. In Seminole language, “ah-tah-thi-ki” means “a place of learning,” and as you will see, the museum certainly lives up to its name.
Upon arrival, students were warmly received by a small greeting committee at the parking lot. Once on the museum’s campus, they assembled together around a live “gathering fire.” The guide explained that in Seminole culture, these fire gatherings allow for intimate conversation. After a brief introduction, the students broke into their homerooms. Mr. Pablo Cardenas guided one group into the museum while another guide led the other group on a mile-long boardwalk adventure. Once done, groups switched activities.
Inside, the class watched a 15-minute video explaining the origins of the Seminole people and a brief overview of their history from about 1850-1960. From their origin story to their struggles to remain on the land of their ancestors in the Everglades, the movie was both informative and touching. “My favorite part was the movie introduction because it talked about their history,” offered Cooper Costello. “I liked the movie because it talked about their experience, how they could hunt and had to have lots of skills,” added Alanny Valle. Indeed, the movie was the perfect set up for the rest of the field trip.
Next, Mr. Cardenas showed the students the intricate and meaningful clothing worn by men and women of the tribe. Patchwork designs made from calico were filled with symbols of nature. Some patterns depicted abstract interpretations of snakes and men on horses, while more modern designs were not only more intricate, but also more literal representations. Men’s traditional attire consists of the “big shirt,” which is a knee-length robe closed by front ties and tied at the waist, while women’s traditional attire consists of a flowy patchwork skirt with a waist-length cape often made of sheer or lace material and featuring embroidery and fringes. Students also got to see artwork from Ahfachkee School students, which included drawings, paintings, and ceramic works. In Seminole culture, “practicing art is a sign of a healthy mind,” said Mr. Cardenas, pointing to the Seminole artisanal and artistic skills evident across exhibits. In another room, a real cypress wood canoe of about 30 feet was a hit with students. Canoes like these had to be big enough to carry people and cargo, and could also be brought out to open sea. This same room also featured a model of a kitchen fire with mannequins of a couple going about their chores while a child watches and learns. The Seminole society is matriarchal and children inherit their clan from their mothers. Children learn their roles and skills from their mothers and fathers and clansmen. A second room featured the Seminole ritual dance under a starry night sky and the traditional annual game of stickball, which shares features with modern-day lacrosse.
Outside, the students took a mile-long walk through the hammock — a dense “island” of hardwood trees rising slightly above the surrounding wetlands — on an elevated boardwalk. Though they hoped to see a live bear, boar, or panther, students only saw traces of wildlife. These small glimpses were still highly prized. “My favorite part was seeing the bear claw scratches on the trees,” said Hugh Campell. In these ordinary ways, the trip succeeded in achieving its aim: to get students up and close with extraordinary sights, experiences, and knowledge. What an edifying day away!
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