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.
The Sun Dance and other ceremonies were originally prohibited by the United States and Canadian governments. The purpose of prohibition was to suppress these and other aspects of Indigenous culture which included preventing the tribes from using Native languages associated with various tribes and tribal culture. While Canada lifted the ban on Indigenous practices in the 1960s, the United States kept the ban in place until the late 1970s.
In 1978, Congress voted to pass the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA.). In doing so, the tribes gained protection related to civil liberties and the preservation of cultural and religious rights associated with Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Aleuts and Eskimos. As such, Sun Dance and other ceremonies and rituals were once again allowed to take place in the United States.
The sacred ceremony known as Sun Dance is often considered one of the toughest test of physical and spiritual endurance in the Indigenous community. For, it involves a tribal member being tied to a pole which is then pierced through the chest skin, thus allowing blood letting which represents the sacrificial aspect of the ceremony and the connection to community and the tribe.
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.
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.
The Sun Dance and other ceremonies were originally prohibited by the United States and Canadian governments. The purpose of prohibition was to suppress these and other aspects of Indigenous culture which included preventing the tribes from using Native languages associated with various tribes and tribal culture. While Canada lifted the ban on Indigenous practices in the 1960s, the United States kept the ban in place until the late 1970s.
In 1978, Congress voted to pass the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA.). In doing so, the tribes gained protection related to civil liberties and the preservation of cultural and religious rights associated with Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Aleuts and Eskimos. As such, Sun Dance and other ceremonies and rituals were once again allowed to take place in the United States.
The sacred ceremony known as Sun Dance is often considered one of the toughest test of physical and spiritual endurance in the Indigenous community. For, it involves a tribal member being tied to a pole which is then pierced through the chest skin, thus allowing blood letting which represents the sacrificial aspect of the ceremony and the connection to community and the tribe.
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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