The Green Corn Moon Ceremony: a brief History of Maize

Corn or Maize was a staple crop for many of the Native Americans.  Maize was originally cultivated from a Central American wild grass called, Teosinte. As the indigenous American peoples, began to create maize as we know it, many tribes began to move from hunting and gathering into an agrarian way of life.  Maize took on religious significance as one of the 3 sisters-- maize, beans and squash.  As staples of the Native American diet-it began to signify life giving forces.  Many religious ceremonies incorporate corn (maize) as part of the ritual.