Heyoka, Sun Dance And Lakota Culture

While there are many cultural aspects with regard to Native American tribes, most differ in comparison. The lakota culture hosts a number of interesting ceremonies and figures not found in other tribes. One such figure is that of Heyoka, a sacred clown which is associated with the lakota people of North America.

Heyoka, a jester, contrarian and satirist moves, speaks and reacts in opposition to others whom are present. Only those whom have had visions of thunder and whom have been accepted by community members can be recognized in this regard. Whereas, leaders such as Black Elk and others whom describe oneself as a Heyoka often do so because of visitations by thunder beings during childhood.

While Heyoka are a local figure, the ceremony known as Sun Dance is a gathering of tribes whom come together in an act of prayer and healing. While this is the case, the ceremony also includes a sacrificial element. While the Heyoka is an external force with freedom of voice, the tribal member involved in Sun Dance represents a sacrifice to the community at large.

The Sun Dance and other ceremonies were originally prohibited by the United States and Canadian governments. The purpose of prohibition was to suppress these and other aspects of Indigenous culture which included preventing the tribes from using Native languages associated with various tribes and tribal culture. While Canada lifted the ban on Indigenous practices in the 1960s, the United States kept the ban in place until the late 1970s.

The Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Aleuts and Eskimos gained protection through an act of the United States Congress which gave protection to the tribes along with preserving the religious and cultural rights associated with each of the tribes. After which, tribes could once again practice the ceremonies, rituals and speak using the native language of the tribe.

The practice known as Sun Dance is considered a test of spiritual and physical endurance. In most cases, young male tribal members dance around a pole to which a member is attached by thongs and experience a piercing of chest skin. While not all include piercing, the purpose is to offer a ritual sacrifice to family and community. As such, dancers are often known to fast in all types of weather conditions for several days leading up to the ceremony.

As the ritual is considered a sacred ceremony, most tribal members are hesitant to discuss the event in detail. In fact, given the long period of misappropriation, many tribes are concerned that outsiders will abuse these and other rituals. As such, the words spoken during ceremonies and rituals are often the native language of tribe.

Ultimately, the Lakota and other tribes voted to pass a Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality at an event known as the Lakota Summit V. At which time, the declaration was passed unanimously by a gathering of leaders from forty bands and tribes. After which, anyone caught exploiting aspects of the tribes could be tried and punished under local tribal law.

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