A Swampscott Summer Solstice

In a town just north of Salem, Massachusetts there is a beautiful seaside town called Swampscott, Massachusetts with only about 14,000 people living there. It rests along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and almost everyone there makes their living off fishing, selling, or cooking fish. However, there was a time long ago when this town belonged only to the Native tribes that founded it. The tribe's names were Naumkeag, Pennacook, and Pawtucket. Most people living in Swampscott in 2024 have long since forgotten where their heritage comes from and who was on that land first. However, there is a small group of women who have not forgotten. There are certain times throughout the year they will gather together on the shores of King's Beach to perform their ancestor's rituals. On the day of the Summer Solstice, four women gather as the sun sets and reach a secluded part of the beach. They gather some dry oak branches and build a bonfire. These women are in their late 40's to early 50's and they have heard the tales of their Native American heritage from their grandparents and parents who heard it from theirs and so on and so on. They have been taught to respect their heritage and keep its rituals and so, that is why they have gathered here. Their names are Enola, Dolli, Wanyecha, and Dakota. They have gathered here on several occasions before tonight. They have done this since they were little girls. However, tonight would be much different than ever before, and as Dolli stokes the fire, Wanyecha goes to gather more dry oak to keep the fire going for a few hours. Enola has gotten out her sage and has started to cleanse the area and Dakota or Kota for short has started dancing around the fire. Enola just smiles at her and says, "Kota, will you ever grow up?" Kota, always the tomboy and the wild child answers back, "Now, what would be the fun in that?" Enola rolls her eyes and continues sageing. Dolli smiles and joins her best friend, her sister with her dance. After a short time, Wanyecha comes back, places the wood next to the fire, and sits down. At that, Kota and Dolli stop dancing and sit down as well for they know it is time to start the ritual. Enola in her motherly voice clears her throat and says, "Ladies, we begin." The sisters all join hands and start to chant. After a few minutes, when all seems still and all you can hear is the ocean lapping against the shore and the women chanting Enola speaks out and says, "Ancestors, the world is so different now but we intend to honor you and keep your memory alive. Thank you and the gods above for another Summer Solstice." Next, Enola takes the clay mixture and lines her face with it to prepare for the Summer Solstice dance. Next in the circle to speak is Wanyecha who has seemed rather deep in thought all night. As she begins to speak, the fire seems to glow brighter. She says, "God of Fire we hope this offering brings you power and pleases you. I am angered by what I see today and how this town has forgotten where it came from, I urge you to remind them." The sisters suddenly all feel tense and uneasy but no one breaks the circle and no one lets go of the other hand. Wanyecha takes the clay mixture, marks her face, and continues to hold her sister's hands. Dolli speaks up next, "Fire god and Mother Nature who gives us our seasons and this Summer Solstice hear our cry! We thank you, we worship you and we wish all could see your power!" The light from the fire is now shining immensely bright and seems to glow all around them as if it is lighting up the entire beach. No one else is around and as Dolli takes her turn with the clay mixture she wonders what will happen next. But, she has no time to think as she returns hands with her sisters Dakota speaks up taking her turn last. "This city has forgotten its past and wants to cover it up, forget it, or pretend it didn't exist. But we know and we remember. We will always remember. Help us great Spirit, help them remember." As Kota placed her hands in the bowl and started to place her face paint on her the fire whose glow had seemed to spread to all corners of the beach suddenly seemed to suck itself back inward and went back to a regular bonfire. Suddenly, Wanyecha produces a cloth sack and tosses it into the fire. The fire whooshes upward and outward into the woods and toward the town behind them. The sisters all look at Wanyecha and say simultaneously, "What was in that sack?!" She doesn't have a chance to answer however because suddenly there are voices all around them but none of them in English. The sisters all look at each other wide-eyed for they know this language but have not heard it for many, many years. It is the language of their ancestors, Wampanoag. They listen as they sway and suddenly it is Kota who speaks first as she says, "They say, they shall pay with blood." The sisters look once again at Wanyecha. It is Enola who speaks first this time. "Wanyecha, what was in that sack?" She responds, "Just some old bones, some of my blood and dust from my ancestors." Enola looks at her gravely as she says, "Well, I hope you're prepared for what you have just woken up." Suddenly, the winds pick up and blow out the fire, the voices increase and cries are heard from the town. Enola says, "Oh, we've done it now. Get in your cars. Let's go!"