White Buffalo Calf Woman ('' Lakȟótiyapi'': ''Ptesáŋwiŋ'') or White Buffalo Maiden is a sacred woman of supernatural origin, central to the

Lakota Lakota may refer to: * Lakota people, a confederation of seven related Native American tribes *Lakota language, the language of the Lakota peoples Place names In the United States: * Lakota, Iowa * Lakota, North Dakota, seat of Nelson County * La ...

religion as the primary cultural

prophet In religion, a prophet or prophetess is an individual who is regarded as being in contact with a divine being and is said to speak on behalf of that being, serving as an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings from the s ...

. Oral traditions relate that she brought the "Seven Sacred Rites" to the Lakota people.

Story

The traditional story is that, 19 generations ago, there was a time of famine. The chief of the

sent out two scouts to hunt for food. While the young men travelled they saw a white cloud in the distance. Then, from the cloud, they saw a woman. As they approached, they saw that it was a beautiful young Native woman in white buckskin. She had dark hair, skin and eyes. One of the men was filled with lust for the woman. He approached her, telling his companion he would attempt to claim her as a wife. His companion warned him that she appeared to be a sacred woman, and to do anything sacrilegious would be dangerous and disrespectful, but his advice was ignored. The second man watched as the first approached and embraced the woman, during which time the cloud enveloped the pair. When the cloud disappeared, only the mysterious woman and a pile of the first man's bones remained. The remaining man was frightened, and began to draw his bow. But the holy woman beckoned him forward, telling him that no harm would come to him, as she could see into his heart and he did not have the motives the first man had. As the woman spoke Lakota, the young man decided she was one of his people, and came forward. At this time, the woman explained that she was ''wakȟáŋ'' (holy, having spiritual and supernatural powers). She further explained that if he did as she instructed, his people would rise again. The scout promised to do what she instructed, and was told to return to his encampment, call the Council, and prepare a feast for her arrival. She taught the Lakota seven sacred

ceremonies A ceremony (, ) is a unified ritualistic event with a purpose, usually consisting of a number of artistic components, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin, via the Latin '' caerimonia''. Church and civil (secular ...

to protect the Mother Earth and gave them the čhaŋnúŋpa, the sacred

ceremonial pipe A ceremonial pipe is a particular type of smoking pipe, used by a number of cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas in their sacred ceremonies. Traditionally they are used to offer prayers in a religious ceremony, to make a ceremonia ...

. The seven ceremonies are: # Inípi (purification lodge) #Haŋbléčheyapi ( crying for vision) #Wiwáŋyaŋg Wačhípi (

Sun Dance The Sun Dance is a ceremony practiced by some Native Americans in the United States and Indigenous peoples in Canada, primarily those of the Plains cultures. It usually involves the community gathering together to pray for healing. Individua ...

) #Huŋkalowaŋpi (making of relatives) #Išnáthi Awíčhalowaŋpi (female puberty ceremony) #Tȟápa Waŋkáyeyapi (throwing of the ball) #Wanáǧi Yuhápi (soul keeping) Each part of the čhaŋnúŋpa (stem, bowl, tobacco, breath, and smoke) is symbolic of the relationships of the natural world, the elements, humans and the spiritual beings that maintain the cycle of the universe.

References

Sources

*Walker, James R. ''Lakota Belief and Ritual'' (University of Nebraska Press, 1980; ; Bison Books, 1991 ) *Powers, William K. ''Oglala Religion'' (University of Nebraska Press, 1975,1977; ) *Pickering, Robert B. ''Seeing the White Buffalo''. (Denver Museum of Natural History & Johnson Books), 1997; & 1-55566-182-3. *Costello, Damian. ''Black Elk: Colonialism and Lakota Catholicism'' (Orbis Books, 2005, {{ISBN, 978-1-57075-580-4)

External links

White Buffalo Calf Woman SocietyChief Arvol Looking Horse (Lakota) tells the White Buffalo Calf Woman StoryPtehíŋčala Ska Wiŋ White Buffalo Calf Woman , Kevin Locke , Wilmette Institute
Traditional narratives of indigenous peoples of the Americas Indigenous culture of the Great Plains Goddesses of the indigenous peoples of North America Lakota spirit beings Shapeshifting Mythological bovines Women in mythology Prophets Supernatural beings identified with Christian saints

Story

See also

References

Sources

External links