The Wolves of Heaven: Cheyenne Shamanism, Ceremonies, and Prehistoric Origins (Civilization of the American Indian Series)

by Karl H. Schlesier

Book by Schlesier, Karl H.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Linda Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Try keeping inside the circle

[RedPaint Spilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karl Schlesier is an anthropologist, and while many native peoples dislike anthropologists, he made an earnest attempt at befriending the Cheyenne.

His experience at the time he wrote this book seems to very limited since he keeps comparing Cheyenne shamanism with that of the northern Siberian tribes and none of the other Algonquian speaking peoples of North America. Even so, he presents his subject matter fairly and accurately.

The main arc of the book is to cover the Massaum and he gives the readers just enough background for them to understand what and why things are done in a religious ceremony that few people outside the Cheyenne would recognize.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents a fascinating, in-depth description of Massaum, the Contrary Dance. The first chapter is particularly interesting--it introduces the Cheyenne worldview through Cheyenne words. I wonder how much of this is common knowledge to Cheyenne people, and I'd be interested to hear what contemporary scholars have to say about Schlesier's comparison between Siberian and Cheyenne traditions.

[Sheila Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering, affirming, sacred.

[Linda Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

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