While their ideas may differ greatly from our current “scientific” perspectives, the Lenapes held a deep and complex understanding of cosmology – their theories behind the natural order of the universe – and maintained an admirably intimate relationship with the natural world.

According to their creation myth, the Lenapes believed that in ancient times, no earth existed; there was only a vast realm of water below and a sky above, where the first humans lived. One day, the sky opened up, and through the hole fell a young woman and a tree. Aided by the “Great Turtle” and a council of creatures, the tree was planted to provide shelter for the woman and the earth emerged. There the tree grew, bending down one of its branches to root in the earth, and from this branch sprang forth the first man who together with the woman would bring forth the future generations of people on Turtle Island (Earth).

To govern the earth, the Lenapes believed their Creator god produced the manito’wak (lower spirits), which included the Earth Mother, Corn Mother, and the Keeper of the Game. Furthermore, the Lenapes believed all objects were imbued with a spirit – from rocks to clouds – and recognized no clear division between living and nonliving. Using the word maneto to label the indwelling spirit in everything, they referred back to this idea of a Creator and maneto to identify all that was strange or wondrous beyond comprehension. If the maneto – the imbued spirits – were offended, the Lenape believed the spirits would cause harm, and thus performed seasonal rituals to offer to the Keeper of the Game. For example, plants were viewed as part of the “sacred circle” of life, and often burnt offerings of corn were made to different spirits. In another example, tobacco would be offered to the forest before entering for hunting and gathering to ensure positive outcomes and offer thanks.

Although it may be difficult for us to understand or perceive the world through the eyes of the Lenape people, it proves worthwhile to recognize their consistent expression of gratitude for nature. As quoted in City at the Water’s Edge, through ceremony, ritual, and dreamwork – cultural manners we may find unusual – the Lenapes sought to convey respect for the healing power of nature: “To replace what you have taken by making a tobacco offering is a recognition or acknowledgement of the life you take, whether it is a tree cut down to make baskets or an animal killed for food.” Though such methods may have remained environmentally harmful, if nothing, the Lenapes at least took the time to consider their affect on nature, be thankful for what they had, and seek some way of giving back – an understanding we unfortunately lack greatly in our world today.