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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".
From 1640, Europeans referred to the Oceti Šakowin as the Sioux, a term borrowed from the Ojibwe, in whose language it was a pejorative word meaning "lesser, or small, adder." [372] The Oceti Šakowin spoke three mutually intelligible dialects of what came to be called the Sioux language: Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota. [372]
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.
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]
Below is a list of commonly recognized figures who are part of Lakota mythology, a Native American tribe with current lands in North and South Dakota.The spiritual entities of Lakota mythology are categorized in several major categories, including major deities, wind spirits, personified concepts, and other beings.
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 ...
Lakota tradition has it that White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the chanunpa to the people, as one of the Seven Sacred Rites, to serve as a sacred bridge between this world and Wakan Tanka, the "Great Mystery". [1] [2] The chanunpa is one means of conveying prayers to the Creator and the other sacred beings. The various parts of the pipe have ...