Story Review of TA NA E KA

The story, “Ta-Na-E-Ka”, written by Mary Whitebird, talks about a girl named Mary and her experiences and thoughts about Ta-Na-E-Ka, a 5-day tradition of the Indiana nation Kaw. Mary, along with her cousin Roger, takes part in Ta-Na-E-Ka. This tradition is compulsory for all children turning 11. While Mary dislikes the ceremony and sees it as outdated, her grandfather values it for teaching survival and endurance. To avoid hardship, Mary borrows a 5-dollar bill from her teacher. As the Ta-Na-E-Ka begins, rather than going into the wilderness, Mary uses the money to buy a hamburger and a milkshake at a restaurant near the wilderness. Mary then sneaks into the restaurant restroom to sleep there. The next morning, Mary is awakened by Ernie, the restaurant owner, who generously offers her food and shelter until the ritual ends. Mary explains Ta-Na-E-Ka to Ernie, who finds it silly. Ironically, Mary defends her tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka. Once the 5-day tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka passes, Mary returns home in surprisingly good shape, until Roger. After explaining her actions, her grandfather recognizes her understanding of the modern world and believes Mary would succeed in life. When reading this story, three main ideas are reflected in this story: Tradition, Change, and Compromise.  

Tradition of a specific group could not only define who they are but also provide unique cultural identity that distinguishes one group from another. Tradition passes down the customs, beliefs, rituals, and practices of the specific culture from generation to generation. Mary’s grandfather is really devoted to the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka, asking each child turning 11 to participate in this ceremony. He still wears what American Indians would have worn in the old times, speaks his native language, and keeps his iron-gray hair in tight braids. For grandpa, the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka is a way to ensure the Kaw Nation’s culture could continue and he believes that this Ta-Na-E-Ka would link generations. Also, the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka is designed to teach young generations about survival and endurance, the important skills that were crucial for Kaw Nation in the past.“He (Grandpa) caught a grasshopper and demonstrated how to pull its legs and wings off in one flick of the fingers and how to swallow it.” Through experiencing the Ta-Na-E-Ka, grandpa is hoping that young generations could learn and develop these skills. At the same time, grandpa sees the tradition as a way to build young generations’ personality, resilience, and strength. Participating in the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka could strengthen the bond within the community, something grandpa values. Traditions often define cultural identity, provide continuity within a group, and build a sense of belonging to its members. 

Change, the process of becoming different in some ways, involves modifications that might affect beliefs, behaviors, or cultural practices. While traditions are valued, they sometimes could be evolved over time as society changes and people adapt to new influences and ideas. Mary is aware of society's change. Back to 1947, the Kaw Indians would have to eat grasshoppers, berries, and crickets to survive in the wilderness. Nowadays, Mary uses a 5-dollar bill to eat hamburgers and milkshakes in the restaurant built close to the wilderness. Although traditions of Ta-Na-E-Ka are forced by the grandpa to pass down generation to generation trying to preserve cultural beliefs and practices, changes to fit the society is inevitable. Society has changed. People don’t have to eat grasshoppers, hunt animals, or kill enemies for survival like the old times. People now could eat tasty and fresh food in the restaurants and do office jobs to make money. As the world evolves, traditions might need to change to adapt to new societal structure or external influences. Such adaptation is essential for the integrity and relevance of cultural practice. The purpose of Ta-Na-E-Ka is survival. Mary uses her own way to survive during Ta-Na-E-Ka. Just like what grandpa says in the end “I think you are more alert to what is happening to our people today than we are. Somehow, you know how to exist in a world that wasn't made for Indians. I don't think you're going to have any trouble surviving" Each generation views traditions differently. The Younger generation, like Mary, would try to find practical, modern adaptations of traditional practices to reflect their contemporary values. Mary’s way to Ta-Na-E-Ka illustrates a balance between respecting tradition and embracing modern life. Traditions and modern changes could coexist and find the balance of how change and tradition interact and transform over time. 

While traditions are valued, people need to find a compromising point where new changes and old traditions are connected and reach an agreement. Compromise is about balancing differing views or needs to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. Grandpa sends Mary and Roger out to the wilderness experiencing Ta-Na-E-Ka. Roger sticks to the old fashion for survival, like eating berries. Mary, on the other hand, finds a new approach for survival by using a 5-dollar bill to eat a hamburger and a milkshake. Traditions are an important cultural heritage, which explains why grandpa always sticks to traditions and he does not want the young generations to forget the spirit, culture, or tradition of the Kaw Nation. But society evolves and people need to find a balance between traditions and changes. Mary cleverly illustrates the balance. She considers what the values of skills the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka are. The essence of the tradition of Ta-Na-E-Ka is survival and endurance, and this is exactly what grandpa would like young generations to learn and build the ability. However, Mary finds an innovative way to demonstrate these skills by using modern approaches. Mary’s approach shows that understanding the present world is crucial, and adapting traditions to fit modern situations can make them more meaningful. From Mary’s example, traditions don’t have to remain static. Old people, like grandpa, should allow room for evolution to keep those traditions relevant in current society. Compromise allows the new change to coexist with traditions, creating solutions that honor past history while embracing current progress.

 “Ta-Na-E-Ka” is an engaging story that follows a young girl Mary who learns from her cultural traditions of Ta-Na-E-Ka and finds a way to compromise with new social change. This story constantly informs readers three main points: Tradition, Change, and Compromise. Specifically, traditions are integral to our identity and beliefs, aiming to transmit knowledge and skills of a specific group to future generations. As society evolves due to new discoveries, it is crucial to embrace the new changes rather than stick with old traditions or resist the new changes. Therefore, people need to balance ancient traditions with societal changes, even though it might be challenging. But compromises can allow both traditions and new changes to coexist harmoniously. This story is trying to tell readers honor or heritage even when modern society presents conflicts, by finding a compromise that respects both culture roots and contemporary changes.