Practices today VS Long ago © By Richard Moves Camp

Traditional Practices of the Lakota oyatePractices today VS Long ago

© By Richard Moves Camp

Long AgoEarly days

People live by spiritual laws

Spiritual laws/Wakan Wo-opeWocekiye – PrayerWolakota- Harmony and peaceWacante-ognake-GenerosityWoksape-Wisdom Wowacintanka-FortitudeWawuonihan- HonorWo-kagi- Respect

Wakan wecohan/Seven CeremoniesInipi -Sweat LodgeHumblecayepi -Vision QuestNagi Gluhapi - Keeping of the SpiritTapa Wakayeyapi -Throwing of the ballIsnati alowampi- Womanhood CeremonyHunkapi- making of relativeWiwangwacipi –Sun Dance

History of Wakan wawicakupi/ Three sacred gifts to the oyateEarly days of the first Ceremony;Inipi /Oinikage was gifted to the lakota

wicasa around the BC era.The second Ceremony was the Ceremonial

gift called Pte heya pa- Fire Bundle, the story of the changing woman.

Third gift is the Pte hincala Canunpa-Sacred Calf Pipe.

Wocekiye - PrayerLong ago the first gift the Lakota is the Inipi History of the Oinikage is passed on from

generations.This Inipi ritual was gifted to the Oyate as a

result of a great flood and all the oyate perished.

The Wambli saved a Lakota wiyan (Woman). For 28 days the Wambli took care of this wiyan.

After 28 days Wakan tanka instructed the Wambli to be wicasa and restore the Oyate.

INIPI / Sweat LodgeThe significance of the INIPI is about the

creation.The fireThe waterThe oniya/Breath of lifeThe rockThe earth /Unci Maka

INIPI / Sweat LodgeThe Willow that are form into a dome shape

represents the whom of Mother hood.The INIPI represent the sacredness of the

family/ Tiwahe WakanMany types of Sweat Ceremonies.

What is a INIPI / Sweat lodgeThe word INIPI is short for Oinikage.Oinikage; meanings, people setting in a circle

with one knee up and one knee down in prayer.

Long ago no more than twelve people can set in a INIPI Ceremony.

How many types of INIPI CeremoniesThere are several types of INIPI Ceremonies

conducted long ago.Men's Lodge/Wica sa echela wacekiyapi.Women's Lodge /Wina ta oinikage.Wakan el yapi kte /Preparation for ceremony

lodge.Akicita ta oinipi.Heyoka ta oinipi.Wiwang wacipi ta oinikage.Wanaseyapi ta oinikage/preparation for hunt.

INIPI / Sweat Lodges todayMany sweats are co-ed and prayer are one.Many more instruction should be made.Protection of our lodges should stronger.Many people of all nations own or sponsor

INIPI in the homes.

INIPI / Sweat Lodge TodayProtection of our ceremoniesMany Native American Sweat Lodge are used

across the country and internationally today.Exercise our rites to our ceremonies and

oversee our cultural practices.

Humbleceya –Questing for visionFastingPrayer for vision Training to become healerBecoming of a manBecoming of a Medicine man / healer

Nagi Gluhapi/ Keeping of spiritSometimes call keeping of soulThis ceremony has many parts and levels. Wokigna- comfort ceremony; for loss and

grieving.Mini wicakupi –Wiping of tearsNagi gluhapi-Keeping of Spirit.Wal-iyacinpi-Remembrance ceremony of

honoring relative.

Tapa wakayeyapi – throwing of the ballThis ceremony is honoring the young

woman’s power.Wiyan ta wo-wasake – power of the female

will be life.Beaded or decorated ball by the family.This ball signified the beauty of life.The woman will throw this ball to the people,

whom ever catches the ball receives all the gifts from the family.

Isnati Aloawmpi –Womanhood ceremony.Rite of passage.Four day ceremony when the girl reaches the

age of young woman.The day of celebration.This ceremony is conducted by elder woman

and mothers, aunts.All woman come to participate in this

ceremony.

Hunkapi – making of relativeWotakuye kagapiHunkaglapapi / honoring the person marking

with paint.Warrior do this ceremony a lot.Families honor their members by paint and

pierce ear.Strengthening the family circle.

Wiwang wacipi – Sun DanceStarted by a man whom had vision.Four day ceremony to renew life.Great ceremony of all people.Today this ceremony is still strong.

Traditional Lakota healersLong ago Healers are very protected by the people.Many types of healers – Doctors.They are not all called medicine men or women as we

do today.They are given titles of the kind of training and

teaching they received. The are trained for number of years, as many years

(7-10 years).They must speak to fourth and fifth language of

lakota.When they master /Doctorate the teaching they speak

the sixth level language.

Medicine/HealersYuwipi wapiya wicasa.Tatanka Wapiya.Mato wapiya.Ikto mi wapiya.Sunk manitu wapiya.Watunwan wicasa*He’haca wapiya.Wanagi Wapiya.Pejuta Wicasa na winyan.

Today healers of lakotaAll healer called by western ways as

Medicine people.Self proclaimed healers.Misinterpretation of spirit

Spirit -WakanLakota people have different meaning of

Spirit than western view.Wakan oyate-Sacred beingBeing of different world- Akantu sni.

Wakan Tanka - GodLakota oyate call god –Tasina wakan, Eyotan

Wakan,in the Modern days Wakan Tanka.Spirits – Wakan oyate.

Phrase each other daily in familyIna-Mother Ina; means the great honorable oneAte – FatherAte; means the great protector.

Wakan wechoun ki le we cho tawacin ki eyelo.The sacred way of life is about healthy mind

and spirit.The Mind is sacred. Tawacin apiyapi- Healing the mind ceremony

Cultural practices todayRenew relative making- HunkapiReceive a Lakota namePeace making societyReconstruct communityIntegration cultural practices in community

government and schools.

Follow the traditional waysThe only purpose of the Cannupa was to

maintain peace among the lakota.All of the ceremonies are gifted separately

and remain as sacred.

Mitakuye OyasinPila mayayelo