The Sacred Pole stands as a testament to the enduring power of belief and the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. This article delves into the origins and significance of this revered object, exploring its role within a specific indigenous culture and its function as a conduit for prayer, healing, and communal identity. This narrative, passed down through generations, offers a glimpse into a worldview where the spiritual and physical realms intertwine, where natural phenomena hold deep symbolic meaning, and where the collective well-being of the community is paramount.
The story begins with a young man, returning to his village after a period of wandering. Upon his arrival, he excitedly approached his father, declaring, "Father, I have seen a wonderful tree!" He proceeded to describe his encounter in detail, painting a vivid picture of the extraordinary sight he had witnessed. However, the old man remained silent, his response muted by the delicate political landscape of the time. Inter-tribal relations were complex, and a major council was underway, bringing together the Cheyenne, Arikara, Omaha, Ponca, and Iowa nations. The purpose of this grand assembly was to establish crucial rules governing hunting practices, the maintenance of peace, and the protocols of war. The old man understood that any new development, especially one as unusual as the young man described, needed to be carefully considered within the broader context of these ongoing negotiations.
Undeterred by his father’s initial reticence, the young man revisited the remarkable tree. Upon his return, he again shared his observations with his father, emphasizing the tree’s unique qualities and the awe it inspired. Yet, the old man remained silent, patiently waiting for the conclusion of the tribal council. He recognized the potential importance of his son’s discovery but knew that its implications could only be fully understood and addressed once the council had reached its decisions and established a framework for inter-tribal relations.
Finally, the council concluded its deliberations, and the agreed-upon rules were established. The old man, feeling the time was right, summoned the chiefs of the village. Addressing them with respect and solemnity, he began, "My son has seen a wonderful tree." He then relayed the details of his son’s account, adding his own interpretation and emphasizing the spiritual significance of the phenomenon. "The Thunder Birds," he explained, "come and go upon this tree. They make a trail of fire which leaves four paths on the burnt grass that stretch towards the Four Winds. When the Thunder Birds alight upon the tree, it bursts into flame. The fire mounts to the top. The tree stands burning, but no one can see the fire except at night."
The chiefs listened intently, recognizing the potential power and mystery inherent in the old man’s words. Intrigued and sensing the gravity of the situation, they dispatched runners to investigate the tree and verify the young man’s account. The runners returned with corroborating evidence, confirming the existence of the extraordinary tree and the phenomenon associated with it. They recounted seeing the tree ablaze at night, a spectacle that defied ordinary explanation and suggested a connection to the spiritual realm.
The chiefs immediately convened a council of the entire community to discuss the meaning of this extraordinary event. The air was thick with anticipation and speculation as the people gathered, eager to understand the significance of the burning tree. After careful consideration, the chiefs declared, "We shall run for it. Put on your ornaments and prepare as if for battle." This declaration was not a call to actual warfare but rather a symbolic preparation, a way of honoring the sacred nature of the task and demonstrating their commitment to understanding the mystery before them.
The warriors, adorned in their finest ornaments and painted with traditional war symbols, prepared themselves for the journey to the tree. This was not an act of aggression but a demonstration of respect and reverence. They set out for the tree, which stood near a lake, running as if in a race to attack an enemy. This symbolic act emphasized the importance of their mission and the determination with which they approached the unknown. A Ponca warrior, driven by a sense of purpose and guided by the collective energy of the group, was the first to reach the tree. He struck it as if it were an enemy, a gesture that symbolized the community’s attempt to engage with the mystery and claim it as their own.
Following this symbolic act, the warriors carefully cut down the tree. Four men, walking in a straight line, carried the felled tree on their shoulders back to the village. This procession was a deliberate and respectful act, emphasizing the significance of the object and the reverence with which it was treated. Upon their arrival in the village, the chiefs initiated a series of rituals to honor the tree and acknowledge its power. For four nights, they sang songs composed specifically for this occasion, songs that celebrated the tree’s unique qualities and the mystery it represented. They held a council to determine the tree’s role within the community and to decide how it would be used.
The community constructed a special tent, a sacred space within the circle of lodges, to house the tree. The chiefs, acting as artisans and spiritual leaders, worked diligently to transform the tree into what they called a human being. They trimmed and shaped it with meticulous care, imbuing it with a sense of life and purpose. They created a basket of twigs and feathers and tied it halfway up the pole, adding to its visual complexity and symbolic meaning. However, they recognized that something was missing. "It has no hair!" they exclaimed. To complete the transformation, they sent out a search party to find a large scalp lock, which they then placed on top of the Sacred Pole to represent hair.
With the Sacred Pole now complete, the chiefs instructed the criers to inform the people that it was ready to be unveiled. The community gathered in anticipation, eager to witness the culmination of the rituals and understand the significance of the Sacred Pole. Men, women, and children came together, united by a shared sense of curiosity and reverence. The chiefs then painted the Sacred Pole and set it up before the tent, leaning it on a crotched stick for support.
Addressing the assembled community, the chiefs declared, "This is a mystery. Whenever we meet with trouble, we shall bring all our prayers to the Sacred Pole. We shall make offerings to him. We shall ask him for what we need. When we ask anything, we must make gifts. If anyone desires to become a chief, he shall make presents to the Keepers of the Pole, and they shall give him authority to be a chief."
The Sacred Pole became a central figure in their lives. It served as a focal point for prayer, a source of healing, and a symbol of communal identity. It became a repository for the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the community. The Sacred Pole was not merely an object but a living embodiment of their spiritual beliefs and a tangible representation of their connection to the natural world.
Finally, the people decided, "Let us appoint a time when we shall again paint Sacred Pole; when we shall act before him the battles we have fought." This decision established a recurring ritual, a time for the community to come together, renew their connection to the Sacred Pole, and celebrate their shared history and identity. They fixed the time for this event to coincide with the moon when the buffaloes bellow, a time of abundance and renewal that symbolized the cyclical nature of life and the enduring power of the Sacred Pole.