Lakota Belief and Ritual

by James R. Walker, Elaine A. Jahner (Editor), Raymond J. Demallie (Editor)

"The real value of Lakota Belief and Ritual is that it provides raw narratives without any pretension of synthesis or analysis, as well as insightful biographical information on the man who contributed more than any other individual to our understanding of early Oglala ritual and belief." Plains Anthropologist "In the writing of Indian history, historians and other scholars seldom have the opportunity to look at the past through 'native eyes' or to immerse themselves in documents created by Indians. For the Oglala and some of the other divisions of the Lakota, the Walker materials provide this kind of experience in fascinating and rich detail during an important transition period in their history." Minnesota History "This collection of documents is especially remarkable because it preserves individual variations of traditional wisdom from a whole generation of highly developed wicasa wakan (holy men)...Lakota Belief and Ritual is a wasicun (container of power) that can make traditional Lakota wisdom assume new life." American Indian Quarterly "A work of prime importance...its publication represents a major addition to our knowledge of the Lakotas' way of life" Journal of American Folklore Raymond J. DeMallie, director of the American Indian Studies Research Institute and a professor of anthropology at Indiana University, is the editor of James R. Walker's Lakota Society (1982) and of The Sixth Black Elk's Teachings Given to John G. Neihardt (1984, a Bison Book), both published by the University of Nebraska Press. Elaine A. Jahner, a professor of English at Dartmouth College, has edited Walker's Lakota Myth (1983), also a Bison Book.

Genres: Native American, History, Nonfiction

369 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[John Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I must list some of my experiences in order to establish any credibility. To that goal:
a)a Pipe-carrier and Sun Dancer for close to twenty years. My initial four years of Dancing were at the Hidden Valley Sun Dance on the Santee Sioux (Dakota) reservation in Nebraska. Sun Dance Chief: Rick Thomas; Medicine Man/Intercessor:the late 'Grandpa' Earl Swifthawk.
b)I either supported or Danced w/ Florentine Blue Thunder, Chief Crow Dog (@Paradise), Harold & Elva White Horse, etc. I nearly died six years ago, so I haven't been able to return to Rosebud since then.
c)been given the rites and permissions to run the following ceremonies, Inipi, Pipe, Wiping of Tears, Giving Sacred Names, Hanblecheya, Yuwipi, Lowanpi, etc.

I have also trained with Elders and healers in Peru, mostly with the Q'ero, under the tutelage of Juan Nunez del Prado, from Cusco. I have spent time with a number of Medicine Men and Women over the years, most of them now passed on.

This book is written by one of the generally-recognized authorities on the Lakota and has written a number of highly praised books about them. I consider him to be one of the top two authorities in what is most often called, academia. I have spoken with him several times, at length, on the phone, and he is quite gracious and forth-coming with his knowledge. His memory is encyclopedic. His knowledge of the esoteric Lakota belief system is very impressive. I did have the opportunity to get to know the late Archie Fire Lame Deer and learned from him most often over coffee after accompanying him in to the Federal Prison where he would run sweats for the inmates (I was a volunteer w/Native American Program). Archie's information perfectly corelated w/Walker's. Highly recommended!

[Ben Lapointe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool, though reads like a textbook (not necessarily in a bad way, just not what I was expecting when I first got into it).

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book.

Background: I am a non-Indian who has worked extensively with Tribes since 1995. My focus is primarily upon their unique legal status as sovereign nations and leading the government-to-government responsibilities of my agency. I've worked most frequently with the Lakota Sioux Tribes generally and numerous times with the Oglala Sioux Tribe at Pine Ridge, SD which is the setting where Dr. James R. Walker lived and worked from 1896-1914.

Dr. Walker was a physical sent there in 1896, Red Cloud still lived and was among his many mentors and teachers, to provide healthcare to the tribe. In 1914 he was fired basically for incompetence because by this time he had actually become a "Medicine Man" fully trained, recognized, and accepted by the tribe and their leaders and had integrated these methods into his practice. This level of acceptance alone in my view was remarkable in my view - even today for an outsider. Getting access to these sacred rituals and belief would have been difficult - moreover, they worked with him and encouraged him to record and preserve these essential aspects of their culture.

The book partially chronicles his journey from physician to a new progression in medicine [my view] and he outlines his study of the tribe and their culture and traditions. While not an anthropologist he tried to stick to scientific method and work with other anthropologist to document his work. The result in the book "Lakota Belief and Ritual" and several others is what I would categorize as a master work in describing these aspects of Lakota culture.

I say that with some humility as I am not Lakota - I've never participated in any of the rituals, not even a sweat. Nevertheless, in my keen observations as an outsider - yet frequent visitor to Indian Country over many years and continuing today - I believe this book is very accurate and I plan to read the others as well.

Check it out - if this is an area of interest you will fully enjoy it. I read it a while ago and now I'm thinking I'll read it again soon and I view it as an excellent reference.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the standard texts on the subject, recorded in the early 1900's by James Walker and published as the first of a three volume set by Raymond Demaille and Elaine Jahner, it is really one of a kind. A fourth volume of translations of Walker's informant George Sword's original Lakota texts was planned and I'm wondering if it is still in process? Walker's original materials are available in microfilm including the original Lakota from his informants including Sword.

[Cws]

AI 299

[Zinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative in explaining the topic and helping me understand more about my short experience in the Dakotas. I wish I had read it before I was out there.

[Stephanie Whitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I read to research the Lakota culture for my first historical novel series, Prairie Winds.

[Mosquito Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compilation of traditional stories and historical narrative literature