The ceremonies performed in Ceremony tell a story of how Indian culture is changing. The influence of white culture and behavior has played a big part in Native American ceremonies. Native Americans have had to create new ceremonies, and change how to perform them to adapt to this new factor in their life. The Indians are scared for the destruction of their culture and people as a result.

After returning home from the war, Tayo experiences post-traumatic stress disorder. His grandmother believes white medicine is not working, and he needs a medicine man named Ku'oosh. Ku'oosh tells Tayo of how the world is fragile and intricate. Ku'oosh prepares Tayo by telling him a story of the ancient rituals for cleansing after you have killed someone in battle. It explains the ceremony and warns him he will be haunted without it. Then he brought out a bundle of dry...