Green Corn Ceremony (Busk)
A central ceremony of many Southeastern nations, renewal, forgiveness, and first harvest.
The Green Corn Ceremony is held in late summer when the first corn ripens, usually between July and September. Each ceremonial ground or community sets its own date.
When Is Green Corn Ceremony (Busk)?
The Green Corn Ceremony is held in late summer when the first corn ripens, usually between July and September. Each ceremonial ground or community sets its own date.
Because the Gregorian date changes from year to year, check a calendar published by the tradition or your local community for this year's date.
Why It Matters
The Green Corn Ceremony (Busk) is among the most important ceremonies of the Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Cherokee, and other Southeastern nations. It is a complete renewal of the world, offenses other than the most serious crimes were traditionally forgiven, old fires extinguished, new sacred fire kindled, and the community reborn.
How It Is Observed
Several days of ceremony including fasting and purification, extinguishing all fires, lighting of the new sacred fire (from which all community fires are relit), ritual bathing, feasting on new corn, forgiveness of debts and offenses, ceremonial dances.