One of the main ceremonies that the tribes in the Great Plains participated in was known as the Sun Dance which is translated to the "sun gazing dance". "The Sun Dance is a distinctive ceremony that is central to the religious identity of the Indigenous peoples in this area" (Wishart, 2011). Tribes in the plains would partake in this ceremony in which personal sacrifices would be made in order to establish a connection with family, friends and the spirit realm. Sacrifices would include fasting (giving up food and water), piercing, and removing parts of flesh from their bodies (Treuer, 2013, p. 120). They believed that this would cleanse their bodies of any negative thoughts and renew their relationships with all human and non-human beings in the world.
During the time of European settlement, the US and Canadian government put a ban on tribes from practicing these ceremonies stating that it was more superstitious than religious. This was just another way for the government to suppress the Indian culture and take control of how they were used to living prior to the new settlement. Eventually the ban was lifted and tribes were able to practice this ceremony once again.
The purpose of these ceremonies was for tribal members to reach a deeper connection with their mind, body and soul. They believed that this was the best way to reach a mental and spiritual equilibrium that would benefit other members.
References:
Treuer, A. (2013). Atlas of Indian Nations: Indian Nations of the Southeast. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. Print.
Winshart, D. (2011). Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Sun Dance. Retrieved February 29, 2016 from http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.rel.046
amazing! I never knew. I also am looking into the religious 'voice' but of the California Tribes. I remember reading about the Sun Dance, but I do not think that I really paid too much attention to the great details of the process.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what part of the flesh they would sacrifice? I remember watching one of those reality shows and it was about odd habits of people and one of the episodes was about people who pierce their backs and chests and then suspend in the air from a cable. I remember having a chill go down my back just watching it- now I wonder if it is not just a 'fade', but something the cultures before us practiced for the Spiritual fulfillment. What seems strange is coming up as a norm when I really start opening my eyes to other cultures and traditions.
Thank you for the Ah Ha moment.
They would remove tiny pieces of skin from the arm or back and pierce the skin of their chest or back (Treuer, 2013, p. 120). I used to think that it was just a fade also, but I'm not so sure anymore. It seems that perhaps some of these practices are still continued today, but I don't believe that many people know why, how, or where they originated from. Piercings have been around for centuries and many of them have different meanings that most of us don't understand. Many people today think it is just a "cool" thing to do.
DeleteTreuer, A. (2013). Atlas of Indian Nations: Indian Nations of the Southeast. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. Print.
The Sun Dance was an important ceremony for many tribes all across the Plains. The commitment of Sun Dance participants to fast for four days at four consecutive Sun Dances shows a great level of commitment and personal sacrifice (Treuer, 120). Dancers were clearly deeply committed to make such a long term sacrifice for themselves and their tribe.
ReplyDeleteWork Cited
Treuer, A. (2013). Atlas of Indian Nations: Indian Nations of the Southeast. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. Print.
Really cool post! I learned that ceremony varied from tribe to tribe. An that "the eagle plays a large part in the Sun Dance for it is one of the Plains Indians' most sacred animal. The eagle flies high, being the closest creature to the Sun. Therefore it is the link between man and spirit, being the messenger that delivers prayers to the Wakan-Tanka (god).
ReplyDeleteIn addition to being a messenger, the eagle also represents many human traits. We can see what values and traits these cultures saw as being important in a person by those traits imposed upon such a sacred animal. The eagle is seen as courageous, swift, and strong. He has great foresight and knows everything. "In an eagle there is all the wisdom of the world."
During the Sun Dance the eagle is the facilitator of communication between man and spirit. The Crow may be accompanied by a dancing eagle in his visions, the eagle instructing him about the medicine acquired through the vision. The eagle's feathers can cure illnesses. During the Sun Dance a medicine man may use his eagle feather for healing, first touching the feather to the sun-pole then to the patient, transferring the energy from the pole to the ill people."
http://www.crystalinks.com/sundance.html
Awesome! Thank you for that additional information I really enjoyed reading your response. It's very interesting learning the in depth feelings and details Indians had towards certain things. I have noticed many trends involving the eagle throughout pictures in the text. When this country became known as the US the bald eagle was chosen because many ancient civilizations believed it represented strength.
Deletehttp://www.history.com/news/ask-history/how-did-the-bald-eagle-become-americas-national-bird