The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (Volume 36) (The Civilization of the American Indian Series)
Product ID: 285892
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Black Elk of the Sioux has been recognized as one of the truly remarkable men of his time in the matter of religious belief and practice. Shortly before his death in August, 1950, when he was the "keeper of the sacred pipe," he said, "It is my prayer that, through our sacred pipe, and through this book in which I shall explain what our pipe really is, peace may come to those peoples who can understand, and understanding which must be of the heart and not of the head alone. Then they will realize that we Indians know the One true God, and that we pray to Him continually." Black Elk was the only qualified priest of the older Oglala Sioux still living when The Sacred Pipe was written. This is his book: he gave it orally to Joseph Epes Brown during the latter's eight month's residence on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where Black Elk lived. Beginning with the story of White Buffalo Cow Woman's first visit to the Sioux to give them the sacred pip~, Black Elk describes and discusses the details and meanings of the seven rites, which were disclosed, one by one, to the Sioux through visions. He takes the reader through the sun dance, the purification rite, the "keeping of the soul," and other rites, showing how the Sioux have come to terms with God and nature and their fellow men through a rare spirit of sacrifice and determination. The wakan Mysteries of the Siouan peoples have been a subject of interest and study by explorers and scholars from the period of earliest contact between whites and Indians in North America, but Black Elk's account is without doubt the most highly developed on this religion and cosmography. The Sacred Pipe, published as volume thirty-six in the Civilization of the American Indian Series, will be greeted enthusiastically by students of comparative religion, ethnologists, historians, philosophers, and everyone interested in American Indian life. Review: A Must Have Book - This book is absolutely awesome and is a MUST for any library of Native American spirituality. Black Elk not only walks the reader through every specific step of each Rite, but also provides the emotional/spiritual essence of each. You can read this and SEE each phase, see the smoke rising, feel the heat of the steam from the sweat lodge stones, feel the spirits present, see the faces of the participants or of the "lamenter" seeking the vision quest. I wish I had owned this book when my father passed. The "Keeping of the Soul" ceremony would have really eased my grief and made it easier to deal with the loss. The Native Americans truly had a deep understanding of the concept that life is not a line, it's a circle. The emphasis on the medicine wheel of birth, life, aging, death, and rebirth is at such a gut level that it's both easy and comforting to understand. LOVED this book, DEFINITELY a keeper. Review: Thank you for preserving these sacred rites - This book isn't long, but it is another of the Black Elk books that I love. John Neidhardt writes in Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition that Black Elk was waiting outside his home and appeared to be waiting for him. Joseph Epes Brown had read Black Elk Speaks and wanted to meet Black Elk and write about Lakota sacred rituals. Neidhardt told him Black Elk would not speak to him, but JEB went anyway. Black Elk was expecting him and collaboration was born to preserve what Black Elk wanted preserved. To any that feel Black Elk was exploited by the white man, I say he knew exactly what he was doing. Black Elk wanted to preserve his visions and thus Black Elk Speaks was born. Then he wanted to preserve these sacred rites for his pepole and thus this book was born and dedicated to his people the Sioux. Those who have touched shamanism and the spiritual know the truth of such things. If you have read about ancient spiritual practices, you will recognize common threads with other spiritual/shamanic traditions. JEB recounts he met Black Elk in 1947, three years before he passed. Black Elk's son Benjamin helped to translate for the book so again I reiterate as with Black Elk Speaks I doubt there could be much misstep in the translation of Black Elk's words. The story of the gift of the sacred pipe is told, ancestor or spirit respect/worship, the sweat lodge rite of purification, lamentation or crying for a vision, sun dance, preparing a girl for womanhood, playing ball, and the making of relatives. I love the little details in the book such as what items they used for the ceremonies, prayers and chants, stories related to the rites, drawings, and historical photos. In the making of relatives chapter, Black Elk puts forth the agenda of peace and love between all men "even if they should be of another nation than ours." The chapter ends with "But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace, as I have said often said, is within the souls of men." After reading this book, I felt more keenly our sacred connection to all things and the Great Spirit in all things.
| Best Sellers Rank | #82,649 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #7 in Native American Biographies #27 in Native American Demographic Studies #115 in Native American History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 372 Reviews |
H**L
A Must Have Book
This book is absolutely awesome and is a MUST for any library of Native American spirituality. Black Elk not only walks the reader through every specific step of each Rite, but also provides the emotional/spiritual essence of each. You can read this and SEE each phase, see the smoke rising, feel the heat of the steam from the sweat lodge stones, feel the spirits present, see the faces of the participants or of the "lamenter" seeking the vision quest. I wish I had owned this book when my father passed. The "Keeping of the Soul" ceremony would have really eased my grief and made it easier to deal with the loss. The Native Americans truly had a deep understanding of the concept that life is not a line, it's a circle. The emphasis on the medicine wheel of birth, life, aging, death, and rebirth is at such a gut level that it's both easy and comforting to understand. LOVED this book, DEFINITELY a keeper.
C**L
Thank you for preserving these sacred rites
This book isn't long, but it is another of the Black Elk books that I love. John Neidhardt writes in Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition that Black Elk was waiting outside his home and appeared to be waiting for him. Joseph Epes Brown had read Black Elk Speaks and wanted to meet Black Elk and write about Lakota sacred rituals. Neidhardt told him Black Elk would not speak to him, but JEB went anyway. Black Elk was expecting him and collaboration was born to preserve what Black Elk wanted preserved. To any that feel Black Elk was exploited by the white man, I say he knew exactly what he was doing. Black Elk wanted to preserve his visions and thus Black Elk Speaks was born. Then he wanted to preserve these sacred rites for his pepole and thus this book was born and dedicated to his people the Sioux. Those who have touched shamanism and the spiritual know the truth of such things. If you have read about ancient spiritual practices, you will recognize common threads with other spiritual/shamanic traditions. JEB recounts he met Black Elk in 1947, three years before he passed. Black Elk's son Benjamin helped to translate for the book so again I reiterate as with Black Elk Speaks I doubt there could be much misstep in the translation of Black Elk's words. The story of the gift of the sacred pipe is told, ancestor or spirit respect/worship, the sweat lodge rite of purification, lamentation or crying for a vision, sun dance, preparing a girl for womanhood, playing ball, and the making of relatives. I love the little details in the book such as what items they used for the ceremonies, prayers and chants, stories related to the rites, drawings, and historical photos. In the making of relatives chapter, Black Elk puts forth the agenda of peace and love between all men "even if they should be of another nation than ours." The chapter ends with "But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace, as I have said often said, is within the souls of men." After reading this book, I felt more keenly our sacred connection to all things and the Great Spirit in all things.
J**E
Unknown
Learned many things that I had no idea existed or was even thought of. Biggest issue was trying to pronounce a lot of the Lakota words. All in all I enjoyed the book and learned where a lot of the sacredness comes from. Thanks, Jim
S**E
Learn the Cemermonial Rites of the Oglala Sioux
Are you interested in native American history, culture or spiritual ideology? If so, this is a great book to invest in. Joseph Epes Brown gives great information about how the rituals were developed and their meaning. He also tells how to do them, and why. I have taken a class in Sioux ceremony in the past, but the explanations and information in this book far exceeded my class. I am still reading the book, so cannot give an overall summary, but the chapters I have read have been both very interesting and very informative,
M**J
Required Read-Interesting Read
This was a required book for a class I was taking but in the end it was very interesting. Easy to read. Diagrams and pictures were cool. If you are at all interested in Native American customs buy it and thumb through it. Recommended.
D**N
Book
This book is great. It is in very good condition.
B**S
A Sound Foundation
I was a bit cautious after reading "Black Elk Speaks". Nor was I encouraged after finding as many modern "Medicine Man" practitioners on the INTERNET. Fact is, though, I was wonderfully surprised to find the detail and disclosure that I did. I wouldn't characterize this as a "how-to" book, there is enough detail concerning the five primary rituals to allow a person who is not a Native American to appreciate both each activity and its underlying beliefs. Most importantly to me, I feel that I can at least participate in a discussion about the nature of these practices with confidence.
A**T
PERFECT BOOK!
I used to own it!
S**T
Good book.
Very informative. Special, Good book.
E**1
Great resource
Owned this book long ago. Great knowledge of indigenous culture in this book. I am making two sacred pipes right now so I ordered this book again to help me complete the pipes
H**Y
the Sacred Pipe of Black Elk
This is an excellent book talking about the sacred visions of Black Elk, and the resultant gifts that his visions would give to his people. Well worth reading if you want to know about what practical inspiration shamans can give to their community.
V**E
Service
Great service! Received this book within a few days. Happiness is a new BOOK
A**R
This book enlightens and should be a guide for all ...
This book enlightens and should be a guide for all of us to be thankful for all that we receive from God. They may do things in a different way But we all should respect There ways and remember that one made all.
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