A song when defined in the English language is a short poem or a set of words that are meant to be sung. Today there are timelines of songs that are involve in heartbreak, joy, beauty, passion, family, friends, and even longing. But are there any songs that are considered sacred? In the Lakota language and the Sioux people would say this can be easily answered with a yes!
Long time ago, there were seven sacred rites that were presented to the Lakota (Sioux) people from the White Buffalo Calf Woman. The Hunka ceremony is one of these sacred rites. It is a ceremony “which two persons adopt the Hunka relationship towards each other” (www.sacred-texts.com). “It means that person is adopted as a member of the family, it doesn’t mean that person is Lakota.” (Making of Relatives). The ceremonial song (wichoiye olowen) or making a parent song (hunkayapi olowan) is used in the Hunka ceremony. When the song is translated from oral to written, the song can be seen here: Le hunka ya, le hunka ya Le hunka ya, le hunka ya Echa, Wiyohpayata le hunka le hunka Echa, Waziyata le hunka le hunka Echa, Wiyohinyapata le hunka le hunka Echa, Itokaga le hunka le hunka Le hunka ya, le hunka ya: Telling the spirits this is an adoption First direction is West (Wiyohpayata), Second is North (Waziyata), Third is East (Wiyohinyapata), Fourth is South (Itokaga). “Ceremonial songs are believed to come directly from the spirits. The singers acts only as the vehicle for the melody but has no influence on the songs itself” (Native American ceremonial songs). Citation 1. “The Hunka Ceremony.” Oglala Sun Dance: The Hunka Ceremony: The Hunka Ceremony, www.sacred-texts.com/nam/pla/sdo/sdo34.htm. 2. Making of Relatives, www.webpanda.us/There/uot_makingofrelatives.htm. 3. “Native American Ceremonial Songs | Lakota Pipe & Prayer Songs |.” The Tribe Scribe, 8 June 2011, www.prairieedge.com/tribe-scribe/sacred-songs-of-the-lakota/. |
Author Bio: Amber Two Bulls is an undergrad student at Oglala Lakota College and is currently receiving her AA in Graphic Arts. She has a passion for landscape photography, still life painting and considered herself as a multipotentiality
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