пятница, 17 августа 2018 г.

Lakota Culture Of Heyoka And Sun Dance

By Angela Fisher


When it comes to Native American history, some tribes are more well known than others. While this is the case, the lakota culture ceremonial and ritual practices are often well known. In fact, Sun Dance has become well known world-wide though the ceremonial is still considered a sacred rite among tribe members.

While this is the case, a lesser known cultural aspect of the tribe is that of a Heyoka. The Heyoka is often defined as a satirist, contrarian and jester whom moves in opposition to those in present surroundings. As only those whom have experienced visions of thunder beings can be recognized, these figures are often held in high regard.

One of the most well known Native American rituals associated with the Lakota tribe is that of the Sun Dance ceremony. Practiced by a number of Indigenous tribes of Canada and North America, the ritual involves a gathering in which the tribes come together to pray for healing. Whereas, there are also other ceremonies which include tribal reunions and prayer held at pow wows on an ongoing basis which do not require an aspect of sacrifice.

Sun Dance, one of many ceremonies prohibited by the Canadian and United States governments was aimed at suppressing Indigenous cultures from practicing Sun Dance and other ceremonies. Canada eventually lifted prohibition against Sun Dance, speaking native languages and other Indigenous practices. Unlike Canada, Indigenous tribes in the United States continued to ban the speaking of Native American languages and the practice of Sun Dance and other cultural activities until the late 1970s.

The Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Aleuts and Eskimos gained protection through an act of the United States Congress which gave protection to the tribes along with preserving the religious and cultural rights associated with each of the tribes. After which, tribes could once again practice the ceremonies, rituals and speak using the native language of the tribe.

Sun Dance, one of the most sacred of Indigenous ceremonies is often considered a test of physical and spiritual endurance. For, the practice involves tribal members dancing around another member whom is attached to a pole with thongs. At some point and time during the ritual, the members pierce the chest skin of the individual on the pole. After which, the letting of blood represents the sacrificial element of the ceremony.

Most tribal members are hesitant to discuss the specifics associated with various ceremonies and rituals. Due to the long period of misappropriation, tribes often fear outsiders will take and use the ceremony out of context. As such, most of the ceremonies and rituals are now presented in Native tongue so that the specifics of the events remain unknown to outsiders.

As a method of assuring that Indigenous people would enjoy the same freedom and privacy as others, the Lakota tribe unanimously voted to pass a declaration of war related to the exploitation of Lakota spirituality at the Lakota Summit V. After which, outsiders caught practicing or exploiting aspects of the Lakota tribe could be prosecuted in a local tribunal. As with other courts, penalties were based on the extent of the exploitation.




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