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| Buffalo Woman Brings the Pipe |
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Two young men were hunting when a beautiful woman came toward them. She wore all white buckskin and had a bundle on her back. One of the young men began to have lustful thoughts of her, but when he told his friend he answered only that he must not have such thoughts because this woman had to be wakan (sacred). As she came closer, they could see she shone and the lustful young man wanted her. The youth who had lustful thoughts went to her. At once a great mist arose and when it died down there was nothing left of him but his bones. Now she spoke to the youth that had respected her coming. Return to your people and tell your chief to prepare a large tipi. Here he must gather the people and wait for my coming. I must tell you something of great importance to your people. When he returned the young man told the chief all he was told. The chief took down three tipis and they made one great tipi where all his people could gather. A person was sent out to gather all the people. They wore their best robes and buckskin and waited for the holy woman. Soon the youth who had been given the task of watching for the wakan woman announced that they could see something in the distance. Suddenly she was in the lodge and she walked around sun-wise toward the chief. She took a bundle from her back and holding it with both hands in front of the chief she said, “Behold this gift I give you and always love it, it is lela wakan (very sacred) and must be treated with respect.” She took the pipe from the bundle, “No impure man can see this and you will send your voices to your grandfather, Wakan Tanka. The bowl of the pipe is of the earth. Your Mother. The stem is of wood and represents all that stands upon the earth. And the twelve feathers that hang from it are of the Spotted Eagle, and they represent the eagle and all the winged creatures of the air. When you smoke from the pipe, all these things are joined and together you send your voices to the Great Mystery (Wakan Tanka). She then showed the people how to use the pipe and the way to pray with it. “Behold this pipe! Always remember how sacred it is and treat it as such. Remember in me there are four ages and I will look back upon your people in every age, and one day I will return.” Moving around the lodge in a sun-wise manner she left, but after walking a short way she turned toward the people and sat down. When she arose she was a red calf and brown. Then she walked a little further and sat down again. This time she became a white buffalo. She set off again only to stop and roll on the ground. Now she had become a black buffalo. This buffalo then walked further away from the people, and after bowing to each direction, disappeared. Since then the Lakota have used the pipe. Lakota oral teaching; from, Inside the Circle: Kehewin Native Educational Manual compiled by Rosa John. |
