Timucuan Culture
... (Confessionario, Milanich etal)” The Native Americans believed that if they had spilled some of the broth from these two respective animals than they would be unable to catch more of the food. Moreover, their many superstitions towards botching future hunting expeditions showed a sort of weakness to the animals, in the respect that they had to treat the food they captured delicately or else they would not be granted more. This superstition might have arisen from an uncertainty that they would always be well endowed with food. If this were the case, it would have been essential not to waste food. The Timucuan culture also had superstitions regarding other types of food, which further emphasized its importance. In one section of the Confessionario, which was entitled, “Ceremonies, Omens, and Superstitions That Are Still Used By Some”, a very intriguing inquiry was posed, “When collecting acorns or other fruits, did you consider it a sin to eat the first fruits that were cut? (Confessionario, Milanich etal)” This brought to light a reoccurring theme in their culture as was displayed by the Confessionario: the connection between the first and food. In addition, they believed that fire had a strong connection with death. However, they would always make this connection with a new and separate fire, “Have you believed that lighting a new separate fire will cure illness? (Confessionario, Milanich etal)” The Timucuan Indians also made the connection between cooking food, and the disappearance of sickness. This facet of their culture shows an inkling of science and medicine, even if they did not understand why the fire kept them from dying when sick. Compounding on the concept of food, it might lead one to believe that the Indians were large advocates of sharing, based on their declination of the first of food; and their frugal behavior toward wasting food; however, this view is not sequitur with a query that was posed later in the document, “The new maize or other new fruits, have you said that it will not be eaten until the sorcerer tastes it first? (Confessionario, Milanich etal)” this instead would lead one to believe...