The Oglala Lakota, deeply connected to the natural world, held a profound respect for all living things. Their worldview was intricately woven with a belief in the supernatural and the inherent power residing within animals. Observing and interpreting animal behavior was not merely a pastime, but an integral part of their daily lives, shaping a belief system that offered protection and guidance to those who sought the wisdom of the animal kingdom. This article explores the spiritual powers attributed to animals by the Oglala Lakota and examines how these beliefs influenced their customs, social structures, and individual aspirations.
For the Oglala, the line between the physical and the spiritual was blurred. They perceived all beings – humans, animals, and supernatural entities – as interconnected, bound together by the earth and created with a shared purpose. Animals, referred to as the "four-leggeds," birds, known as the "winged ones," and even the legless creatures that crawled upon the earth, were all seen as teachers, offering valuable lessons about life. The Oglala people believed that humans, the "two-leggeds," could gain profound insights by carefully observing the behavior and characteristics of these creatures. From childhood, they were taught that all beings were interdependent and that survival depended on understanding and respecting the lessons offered by every form of life. The Meanings Attributed to Animals by the Oglala Lakota are deeply rooted in this interconnected worldview.
The Bison: A Symbol of Feminine Power and Sustenance
The bison, often referred to as the buffalo in the United States, held a position of paramount importance in Oglala Lakota culture. It was considered the chief animal, a central figure in their spiritual and practical lives, providing them with essential sustenance, shelter, and warmth. More than just a source of material goods, the bison was deeply symbolic, embodying feminine power and virtues such as chastity, productiveness, and hospitality. These qualities were highly valued in Oglala women, who were expected to emulate them in their own lives.
The Oglala Lakota held women in high regard and took great care in protecting them. This respect was reflected in various customs and ceremonies, including the Buffalo Ceremony, a significant rite of passage that honored a young girl’s transition into womanhood. This ceremony drew a direct parallel between the bison and the young woman, symbolizing her potential to embody the same virtues.
The Buffalo Ceremony involved a medicine man who, much like a mother bison protecting her newborn calf from the harsh winter, would symbolically bless and sanctify the young woman’s journey. When a bison calf is born in the winter, the cow is said to blow a red substance onto her newborn to help seal in body heat. During the ceremony, the medicine man would dance in a circle and blow red dust onto the young girl, bestowing upon her the blessings and powers associated with the bison. This ritual served to connect the girl to the feminine power of the bison and to prepare her for the responsibilities and privileges of womanhood within the Oglala Lakota community. The Meanings Attributed to Animals by the Oglala Lakota are clearly demonstrated in the reverence of the Bison.
The Elk: Emblems of Beauty, Strength, and Love
The elk, with its majestic antlers and graceful movements, held a prominent place in the Oglala Lakota understanding of relationships and the supernatural. The elk’s ability to navigate dense foliage with its massive antlers, which could span up to six feet, was seen as a testament to its strength, agility, and grace. These qualities, along with the elk’s inherent beauty and gallantry, made it an emblem of protection and a source of inspiration.
The Oglala Lakota admired the elk’s ability to attract a mate with a single, powerful mating call, a sound that resonated through the forests and valleys. Inspired by this, they created the love flute, a musical instrument designed to mimic the elk’s mating bugle. This flute was believed to possess amorous medicine, capable of attracting the perfect match for the suitor playing the instrument. The haunting melodies produced by the love flute were seen as a way to tap into the supernatural power of creation and to invoke the blessings of the elk in matters of the heart.
Through observing the elk, the Oglala Lakota gained valuable insights into the dynamics of relationships between men and women. The elk served as a reminder of the importance of beauty, strength, and communication in courtship and partnership. The creation of the love flute demonstrates how the Meanings Attributed to Animals by the Oglala Lakota influenced their social practices and their understanding of love and relationships.
The Deer: Gentle Nature and Cunning Wisdom
The deer, prized for its skin and meat, held a complex and multifaceted significance for the Oglala Lakota. While deer provided valuable resources, hunting them was a challenging endeavor, requiring skill, patience, and respect for the animal’s inherent abilities. Deer possess an exceptional sense of smell and keen eyesight, allowing them to detect danger from great distances. Their swift stride and ability to hide and endure thirst for extended periods made them formidable prey for the unskilled hunter.
Beyond its practical value, the deer also held a symbolic significance, representing both gentleness and cunning. While deer were thought to aid men on their journey through life, they were also seen as capable of deception and trickery. It was believed that a deer could change form, appearing as a beautiful young woman to lead men astray with intoxicating perfumes. If a man succumbed to the deer’s allure, he was considered weak and faced the prospect of an untimely demise or madness. However, if a man could resist the deer’s temptations and walk away unscathed, he was seen as possessing great power and self-control, earning the respect of his tribe.
The deer’s ability to transform and deceive served as a cautionary tale, reminding the Oglala Lakota of the importance of self-discipline and vigilance. Deer were sometimes conjured up by medicine men during ceremonial songs, further highlighting their connection to the spiritual realm.
The Bear: Chief of Healing and Masculine Power
The bear held a position of great respect and reverence in Oglala Lakota culture, representing masculine power, healing, and knowledge. Considered the chief of the underground supernatural forces, the bear was seen as the perfect balance to the bison’s feminine nature.
Because bears dig for roots and herbs and are known to use medicine on themselves, they were regarded as the chief healers among animals. The Oglala Lakota believed that bears possessed a deep understanding of the natural world and the healing properties of plants. The bear’s habit of digging underground for roots and hibernating during the winter demonstrated its supremacy and fearlessness, inspiring Oglala men to seek bear medicine powers.
The bear’s unpredictable nature – fierce and brave one moment, cranky and growling the next, or curious and playful – further added to its mystique. If a man dreamed of bears, he was expected to embody these qualities, behaving aggressively when necessary, showing unusual kindness, and cultivating a deep understanding of herbs and medicines.
The Badger: Symbol of Warfare and Medicine for Children
The badger, with its enormous claws and tenacious combat techniques, represented warfare and resilience in Oglala Lakota culture. Its stubbornness and refusal to back down from a perceived enemy inspired warriors to form Badger Societies, emulating these qualities in battle.
In addition to its association with warfare, the badger was also a medicine animal, possessing healing qualities. However, due to its small size, Badger Medicine was typically reserved for children.
The Skunk: Courage and Determination
The skunk, despite its small size and pungent defense mechanism, was admired for its courage and determination. Fearless and self-assured, the skunk would even stand its ground against much larger foes, including bears. When a skunk fearlessly turns its back and raises its tail, it sends a clear message of defiance.
For this reason, war chiefs sometimes lined the heels of their moccasins with skunk skin, believing that it would imbue them with the courage to face any opponent.
The Wolf: Organization, Wisdom, and Cooperation
The wolf, known for its pack behavior and hunting prowess, taught the Oglala Lakota valuable lessons about organization, wisdom, and cooperation. Observing wolf packs provided insights into family structure, community collaboration, strong observation skills, and the importance of adapting quickly to unusual circumstances.
The wolf’s supernatural power was highly prized by the Wolf Society, an elite warrior society that protected the people in times of war. Oglala scouts wore wolf hides, prayed to the great hunters for advice, sent scouts ahead of the main pack to observe, and scrutinized everything a second time, mimicking the behavior of their animal guides.
The Fox: Gentler Spirit and Strategic Expertise
The fox, similar to the wolf, was considered a medicine animal, possessing the power to reveal the locations of herbs needed by medicine men. The fox also shared its expertise on how to swiftly escape enemies, teaching men how to travel through dangerous territory and understand courage under fire.
While the Wolf Society fought battles further from home to protect the village, the Kit Fox Society focused more on policing around the home camp, maintaining order and harmony, and conducting much of the hunting. The Meanings Attributed to Animals by the Oglala Lakota are diverse and reflect their intimate relationship with the natural world.
In conclusion, the Meanings Attributed to Animals by the Oglala Lakota were not merely symbolic; they were deeply ingrained in their daily lives, shaping their social structures, spiritual beliefs, and individual aspirations. By observing and learning from the animal kingdom, the Oglala Lakota gained valuable insights into the world around them and their place within it, fostering a profound respect for all living things.