|
The Sun Dance is a ceremony practiced by some indigenous people of America and Canada, primarily those of the plains cultures. After contact with European colonists, and with the formation of Canada and United States, both countries created laws banning ceremonies and even outlawed Indigenous people from speaking their native languages. Those that continued to practice their culture were imprisoned or even killed for doing so. As a result, and in order to preserve Indigenous culture for future generations, most ceremonies went underground and were practiced in secret. ==In contemporary cultures== In very general terms, there are features common to the ceremonies of the sun dance cultures. Some of these commonalities include dances and songs passed down through many generations, the use of a traditional drum, a sacred fire, praying with a ceremonial pipe, fasting, and, in some cases, the ceremonial piercing of skin. Certain native plants are picked and prepared for use during the ceremony. Natural medicines are used for health and well being, as are traditional foods. Wood is harvested for a sacred fire, and a firekeeper must tend the fire that burns for many days and nights. Typically, the sun dance is an agonizing ordeal for those who participate. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, young men dance around a pole to which they are fastened by "rawhide thongs pegged through the skin of their chests."〔Young, Gloria A. "(Sun Dance )." ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.'' The Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed 28 December 2013.〕 Although not all sun dance ceremonies include dancers being ritually pierced, the object of the sun dance is to offer personal sacrifice as a prayer for the benefit of one's family and community. The dancers fast for many days, and the ceremony takes place over a four-day period. The ceremony is held outside in the summer time, in the open air, not fully sheltered from the wind, sun, or rain. Some groups use the same site each year, while others will move from place to place. At most ceremonies, family members and friends stay in the surrounding camp and pray and support the dancers. People camp at the site for many days, with some arriving from far away places. In preparation for the sun dance, wood, food, and medicines are gathered in the traditional manner, the site is set up, offerings made, elders consulted, and feast food prepared. There are sweat lodges and other ceremonial preparations. Much time and energy by the entire community is needed for the sun dance to work. Communities plan and organize for at least a year to prepare for the ceremony. Usually there is one leader or a small group of leaders in charge of the ceremony, but many elders help out and advise. A group of helpers do many of the tasks required to prepare for the ceremony. There is a reluctance to talk about the subject in any great detail. Those who know a lot are not willing to share with someone who might abuse or misuse the traditional ways. There are concerns about the ceremony not being passed along in the right ways. The words used at a sun dance are often in the native language and are not translated. There is a great deal of effort made to have, and show, the utmost respect for the ceremony, and this is often done by speaking few words about it. The detailed way in which a respected elder speaks, teaches, and explains a sun dance is unique and not easily quoted, nor is it intended for publication. In 1993, responding to increasingly frequent desecration of the sun dance and other Lakota sacred ceremonies, "the Lakota Summit V", an international gathering of US and Canadian Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations, about 500 representatives from 40 different tribes and bands of the Lakota unanimously passed a 'Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality'."〔"Whereas sacrilegious "sundances" for non-Indians are being conducted by charlatans and cult leaders who promote abominable and obscene imitations of our sacred Lakota sundance rites; ... We hereby and henceforth declare war against all persons who persist in exploiting, abusing, and misrepresenting the sacred traditions and spiritual practices of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people." - Mesteth, Wilmer, et al (1993) "(Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality )."〕〔Taliman, Valerie (1993) "(Article On The 'Lakota Declaration of War' )." ''News From Indian Country,'' Indian Country Communications, Inc.〕 In 2003, the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota asked non-Native people to stop attending the sun dance (''Wi-wanyang-wa-c'i-pi'' in Lakota); he stated that all can pray in support, but that only Native people should approach the altars.〔Looking Horse, Chief Arvol (2003) "(Protection of Ceremonies ''O-mini-c'i-ya-pi'' )"〕 This statement was supported by bundle keepers and traditional spiritual leaders from the Cheyenne, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota Nations, who issued a proclamation that non-Natives would be banned from sacred altars and the Seven Sacred Rites, including and especially the sun dance, effective March 9, 2003 onward: :The ''Wi-wanyang-wa-c'i-p''i (Sundance Ceremony): The only participants allowed in the center will be Native People. The non-Native people need to understand and respect our decision. If there have been any unfinished commitments to the sundance and non-Natives have concern for this decision; they must understand that we have been guided through prayer to reach this resolution. Our purpose for the sundance is for the survival of the future generations to come, first and foremost. If the non-Natives truly understand this purpose, they will also understand this decision and know that by their departure from this ''Ho-c'o-ka'' (our sacred altar) is their sincere contribution to the survival of our future generations.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「sun dance」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|