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Culture
The people of the Plains believed in Great Spirit, or as they called it, “Wakan Tanka”. The spirit was said to possess all animals, trees, plants, clouds, stones, etc. The people also believed that visions in dreams came from spirits. All of these spirits was said to be controlled by Earth.
The people of the Plains believed in Great Spirit, or as they called it, “Wakan Tanka”. The spirit was said to possess all animals, trees, plants, clouds, stones, etc. The people also believed that visions in dreams came from spirits. All of these spirits was said to be controlled by Earth.
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The Sun Dance was a festival that was held if there was a response to a vision, or a prayer to spirits. This ceremony took four days to prepare for. On those four preparation days, the people would cut a tree and attached it with ropes tied on the top. Surrounding the tree was tipis that they would set up in a circular fashion. The party would start on sunset of the final preparation day, and ended on the sunset of the next day. On the day of the Sun Dance, the Sioux (group of Native people) would pierce their breast region, then knot the piercing to a rope that was connected to the tree in the middle. Once they were ready, they would dance while leaning away from the tree. The purpose on this ceremony was to rip the skin free, and the pain was a tribute to “Wakan Tanka”.
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Along with the Sun Dance, Powwows were another form of celebrations. The word powwow consults to a gathering of Native people where they sing, dance, celebrate, and mingle. Powwows contain such activities like ceremonies, dance contests, and social dancing. Before anything doings, they have to undergo the Grand Entry. During the Grand Entry, the dance competitors arrive in an orderly fashion, then the singing of the Flag Song commences. Following the Flag Song, introductions of the important people at the powwow are done, and then a prayer is pursued. The rest of the activities take place after the Grand Entry, but in a specific order. Competitions such as the dance competition include prizes, such as money, trophies, and handy materials like food, household items, rifles, and blankets. They also giveaway prizes often. The purpose of powwows are to celebrate tradition, and it gives the people of a Sioux a sense of belonging to a community. People who go to powwows look ahead to making new acquaintances and catching up with old pals.
Works Cited
Bales, Kenton. "Encyclopedia of the Great Plains." Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. University of Nebraska, 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"The Plains People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing." The Plains People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing. Goldi Productions
Ltd, 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Powwow at Potawatomi Indian Agency, Kansas" c. 1920. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
<http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/images/egp.na.091>
"A Sioux Family" N.d. The Plains People. Web. 15 Apr.2015. <http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_plains6.html>
"Sun Dance" N.d. Sun Dance. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.crystalinks.com/sundance.html>
By Jordy
Bales, Kenton. "Encyclopedia of the Great Plains." Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. University of Nebraska, 2011. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"The Plains People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing." The Plains People - Religion / Ceremonies / Art / Clothing. Goldi Productions
Ltd, 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
"Powwow at Potawatomi Indian Agency, Kansas" c. 1920. Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. Web. 15 Apr. 2015.
<http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/images/egp.na.091>
"A Sioux Family" N.d. The Plains People. Web. 15 Apr.2015. <http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_plains6.html>
"Sun Dance" N.d. Sun Dance. Web. 15 Apr. 2015. <http://www.crystalinks.com/sundance.html>
By Jordy