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In Lakota spirituality, Wakan Tanka (Standard Lakota Orthography: Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka) is the term for the sacred or the divine. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] This is usually translated as the " Great Spirit " and occasionally as "Great Mystery".
Their name deriving from a term meaning "allies", [1] the Lakota comprise the seven westernmost groups of the Sioux peoples. [2] Other terms for the Lakota include the Western Sioux, [2] Teton Sioux, [3] Tetons, [2] Teton Dakotas, [2] or the Thíthuwa (Prairie Dwellers). [4] The Lakota had formed into seven subdivisions by the 19th century.
In the Lakota tradition, the Great Spirit is known as Wakan Tanka. [1] [2] According to Lakota activist Russell Means, a more semantically accurate translation of Wakan Tanka is the Great Mystery. [3] Often, Lakota language prayers begin with the phrase “Tunkasila”, which translates to “grandfather, Great Spirit.” [4]
According to Lakota belief, Inyan (Rock), was present at the very beginning, and so was the omnipresent spirit Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, and the darkness Han.Inyan wanted to exercise his powers, or compassion, so he created Maka (the Earth) as part of himself to keep control of his powers.
The term Dakota has also been applied by anthropologists and governmental departments to refer to all Sioux groups, resulting in names such as Teton Dakota, Santee Dakota, etc. This was mainly because of the misrepresented translation of the Ottawa word from which Sioux is derived.
Pte Oyate - The Buffalo people. They were created by Skan to conduct the will of Wakan Takan. [1] Unk Cekula - A Reptilian monster that wreaked havoc on the Plains and the Black Hills was slain by a warrior with medicine arrows. Unktehi - A race of spirits that resemble giant ruminants with long tails.
Though Black Hawk has been described as a medicine man, Berlo notes: "The term medicine man is rather a simplisitic designation for a variety of ritual specialists". [1]: 9 The creator of the Lakota universe is referred to as Wakan Tanka meaning "Great Spirit." Lakota holy men are thought to have a greater connection to this force.
Wakan may refer to: Wakan, Oman, a village in Oman; Wakan, meaning "powerful" or "sacred" in the Lakota language; Wakan, the original Dakota name for the Rum River of Minnesota; Wakan Tanka (variant name), the "Great Spirit," "sacred" or the "divine" as understood by the Lakota people; A Japanese word (和館, lit. "Japan hall/building") used ...