The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux

by Black Elk, Joseph Epes Brown (Editor)

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.

Genres: Native American, Nonfiction, History, Indigenous, Religion, Spirituality, Anthropology

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Heȟáka Sápa (Black Elk) (December 1863 – August 19, 1950) was a famous wičháša wakȟáŋ (medicine man and holy man) of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux). He was Heyoka and a second cousin of Crazy Horse.

Since the 1970s the book Black Elk Speaks has become an important source for studying Native spirituality, sparking a renewal of interest in Native religions. Black Elk worked with John Neihardt to give a first-hand account of his experiences and that of the Lakota people. His son Ben would translate Black Elk's stories, which were then recorded by Neihardt's daughter Enid, who would then put them in chronological order for Neihardt's use. Within the American Indian Movement Black Elk Speaks became an important source for those seeking religious and spiritual inspiration. They also sought Black Elk nephew and medicine man, Frank Fools Crow, for information on Native traditions.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nariman · Rating 3 out of 5]

در ابتدا خیلی برام جالب و بدیع بود، خصوصا نمادگرایی‌هاش و ارتباط‌هایی که در پانویس بین جهان‌نگری‌های مختلف هندو، بودایی و ... با جهان‌نگری قوم سو اشاره شده بود. ولی به مرور تکراری شد و جزئیات زیادش حوصله‌م رو سر برد

فقط می‌تونم بگم کاش انسان سفید، از سر مدارا و نوع‌دوستی، جای بیشتری برای «راه نیک سرخ» مردمان سرخ باقی می‌گذاشت

[Omid Milanifard · Rating 2 out of 5]

در پیشگفتار این کتاب آمده که قبل از این کتاب تنها اثر شایسته درباره سرخپوستان آمریکای شمالی، کتاب فاجعه سرخپوستان آمریکا بوده، در حالیکه کتابهای کارلوس کاستاندا در مورد شمن های سرخپوست یا به قول خودش جادوگران قبل از اینها به فارسی برگردانده شده و شامل اطلاعات زیادی در خصوص تفکرات و مردم شناسی سرخپوستی است. اگر چه این کتابها روی بخش خاصی یعنی جادوگری تمرکز دارد.
آشنایی من با تفکرات و جهان بینی سرخپوستی هم به این کتابها بر میگردد که با "تعلیمات دون خوان" و "هنر خوب بینی" شروع شد. از نظر محتوایی کتابهای کاستاندا خیلی بهتر از این کتاب است.
این کتاب پر است از جزئیات برگزاری مراسم سرخپوستی. تنها نکته مثبت کتاب به نظر من شرح نمادهای مختلف (رنگها، اشیا و حرکات) در این مراسم است. این کتاب میتوانست بسیار مختصرتر نوشته شود و در عین حال هیچ موضوع مهمی را از دست ندهد.
از ویژگیهای آزاردهنده متن کتاب تکرار بسیار زیاد کلمه "مقدس" در متن بود که همچون ضربه های دارکوب در زمان مطالعه کتاب بی انقطاع ادامه داشت (بماند که این روزها نسبت به این واژه حس منفی زیادی دارم)
شاید این هم بخشی از واقعیت باشد که وقتی مرد مقدس در شهود خود گاومیشی را می بیند که از سمت واکان تانکا (خدا) به او آئینی می آموزد، این ها همه حاصل از مصرف گیاهان روان گردان باشد (شاید هم روح القدس سرخپوستان در شکل گاومیش یا چهارپایان و بالداران دیگر ظاهر می شود)..
اگر مراسم و آئینهای سرخپوستی و صحبت با جانوران به نظرتان خیلی عجیب رسید یادتان باشد این موضوع مشترکی در فرهنگهای مختلف است:
دعای رفع عقرب: تیز نظر کند به ستاره سهی و آن ستاره کوچکی است نزدیک به ستاره وسطی از ستارگان بنات نعش (دب اکبر) و سه مرتبه بگوید .... (مفاتیح الجنان)

[Touraj PX · Rating 2 out of 5]

کتاب شامل دعاها و مناسک تکراری زیادیه که اگرچه خسته‌کننده بودند ولی جهان‌بینی عمیق و در عین حال ساده‌ای رو منتقل می‌کردند. مادر (زمین) و مادربزرگ (روح زمین) و پدر (کائنات) و همه فرزندان زمین از قبیل ملت ایستاده (درختان) و ملت چارپا (بیشتر به گاومیش اشاره داشت) و ملت بالدار (پرندگان) و ملت دوپا (انسان‌ها) و همه و همه تجلی پدربزرگ یا واکان‌تان‌کا (چیزی شبیه به مفهوم حق در عرفان ابن‌عربی) هستند و از این جهت همه چیز در این دنیا مقدس و یکیه (وحدت وجود). پس همه اعمال ملت دوپا هم باید مقدس باشند. به هنگام راه رفتن آگاه باشند که روی زمین مقدسی قدم برمی‌دارند و به هنگام غذا خوردن و حرف زدن و گوش دادن و هر عملی آگاه باشند که چه اتفاق مقدسی در حال رخ دادنه. و حتی در جایی دیگه می‌گه که ما به هنگام جنگ صورت و بدن‌مون رو رنگ می‌کنیم چون از واکان‌تان‌کا خجالت می‌کشیم که در این عالم مقدس ما رو در حال چنین عمل ناپسندی ببینه. چپق مقدس‌ترین بخش تمام آیین‌هاست. توتون‌های مختلف رو که نماد همه عالم‌اند توی کاسه چپق که نماد واکان‌تان‌کاست می‌‌گذارند و چپق رو به ۶ جهت پیشکش می‌کنند و هربار دعایی می‌خونند و می‌کشند و این به آتش کشیدن یعنی همه عالم فدای واکان‌تان‌کا. تمام اهمیت آیین‌ها به آگاهی از معانی و چرایی‌شونه چون طوطی‌وار انجام دادن‌شون از نظر گوزن سیاه هیچ فایده‌ای نداره (چندان به مرجع تقلید اعتقادی ندارند). عموما درون تی‌پی (چادر سرخپوست‌ها) نماد دنیا و بیرون اون نماد عالم غیبه و اینکه در تی‌پی رو باز و بسته می‌کنند و برای لحظه‌ای نور از بیرون به درون تی‌پی سرازیر می‌شه یا از تی‌پی خارج می‌شن و بر می‌گردند، در همه این کارهای به ظاهر بی‌معنی معنایی هست (برای آنها که می‌اندیشند ;) )
یکی از آیین‌ها که خیلی شبیه به چله‌نشینی خودمونه «زاری برای شهود» هست. منتها وقتی شخصی به شهودی می‌رسه و اون رو بازگو می‌کنه بقیه هم از اون شهود استفاده می‌کنند، انگار که شهود خودشون بوده. در واقع اعتقاد بر اینه که راهنمایی‌های واکان‌تان‌کا از راه‌های مختلف به انسان‌های مختلف الهام می‌شه و ما باید از تمام این الهامات استفاده کنیم. چون همه چیز به شخص ما یا بدتر از اون به یک شخص خاص و تاکید می‌کنم به یک شخص خاص الهام نمی‌شه.
به امید بازگشت همه انسان‌ها به راه واکان‌تان‌کا که صورت‌ها و اسامیش به بی‌کرانی خودشه...

[Manitonquat Manitonquat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux, Black Elk indeed rescued from oblivion the only known complete record of the seven central sacraments of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) religion.

It is a priceless document for theology scholars, and for all those interested in Native American spirituality. An important companion piece to his autobiogarphy Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux

[ಥ_ಥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a book about philosophy and rituals. only known complete record of the seven central sacraments of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) religion.

[Alex McCulley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admittedly listened to this on audiobook and I think the material would come across better if I was reading it. The Lakota terms would be easier to look back and remember what they were. I did enjoy the mythological roots of the rites.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written. Goes into great detail about rituals. Would love to experience a sweat lodge like they mention in the book. Can see alot of ways the masonic lodge used these methods into their rituals.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very interesting but certainly informative.

[Vanessa Lecaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for Siouxan people who want to know more about ceremony of the Lakota people

[Frank LaFerriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Elk is one of my heroes. From Black Elk Speaks to The Sacred Pipe I have always loved the teachings and wisdom of Black Elk. He should be required reading if you truly want to understand the sacred ways of the Sioux Nation.

[Ron Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me understand the cultural differences that lead to the problems in the mid-1800s. This one is a keeper. I will read it again.

[Giiwednigawbaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for ALL Americans and anyone interested in the history of the United States.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A important teaching for those who walk the red road.

[Alana Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having just finished reading "Turtle Lung Woman" which was an account of a female contemporary of Black Elk, I did not feel that this book was an accurate account of the Oglala/Lakota religion and did not finish this book.

In the first few pages, supposedly and possibly truly [as he was a Catholic], Black Elk prays to Wakan Tanka using the pronoun "Thy". Since when is there a Quaker pronoun in the Lakota language? And this continues throughout the book - at least until the middle when I put it down.

Espes, the author, had a degree in comparative religion and too often compares the Oglala/Lakota religion to Christianity, Hinduism, etc. Why? Is this to justify the Black Elk's religion, as though it needs to be more familiar, less "heathen?" Black Elk refers to man in terms that imply a sinner - which would come from Black Elk's conversion to Catholicism [he's being considered for sainthood by the catholic church]- but is the Oglala/Lakota religion actually concerned with "sin" and redemption?

When Black Elk is supposedly relating the story of the White White Buffalo Cow Woman, he says the people were told to put on their "best buckskin clothes" before meeting her Really? They had a wardrobe - best buckskin, everyday buckskin?

Parts of the book, the rituals and their steps, rang true, but Black Elk was a showman who traveled with the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and this book struck me as a showman's version of practicing Oglala/Lakota religion - something "white people" would relate to in 1947. After all, it was only a few years later that "Tonto" appeared on TV.

NOTE: Eighteenth Century French fur trappers traveling with an Ojibwe scout first used the word Sioux to describe Lakota-speaking people. Sioux is the Ojibwe word for "enemy." I doubt that Lakota-speaking people would use this word about their religion.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my roadtrip west last month, spending a decent amount of time in South Dakota for the first time in my life, I was interested in learning more about the indigenous people of the area. I realized how limited my knowledge of the Oglala Lakota was. Most of what still remains of native culture in the state is relegated far from the interstate to the north and south. While I saw much more of it closer up in Montana, I was curious about learning more about those farther east. A week or so after getting home I came across this book at my local used books store and decided I’d start here.

The Sacred Pipe is the recollections of Black Elk, a spiritual leader who lived through many notable events of history; particularly the Battle of Little Bighorn and Wounded Knee. Towards the end of his life he recounted the rituals and practices around pipe tobacco to author Joseph Epes Brown, who recounts them here. First published in 1950 this has been a pivotal record of these practices.

This short book recounts the practices and actions associated with inter tribe communication and coming of age in the tribe. Highly descriptive and meticulously detailed this is a great resource for learning these rituals as they were practiced traditionally.

While informative, I did find it to be a bit of a harder read. My lack of background knowledge left me wanting more from this, which ultimately isn’t the intention of this book. I would love to have learned more about tribal life beyond this as well as the life of Black Elk, topics of interest to explore in further reading.

[Mikey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent detail & thoroughly written out, but a little hard to read if you're not into reading about multiple rituals. I'd be intrigued to witness it in person, what an amazing and enlightening experience it must've been for the author.

[Jim Dickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Nessa Wesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was very informative, but in terms of maintaining interest, it wasn't the most captivating. It's hard to describe. I simply had trouble staying focused all the time, but I did learn some things that I will never forget.

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favourite of mine even from an anthropological POV, a little dry of a read. Informative though.

[Madeline Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom of this world and the next gleaned from this book.

[Beatrix Haase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Read this for my philosophy class.

[Paula Beckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting history about Native American Traditions

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising gem that’s been sitting in my library for years. Putting together a coherent review that does it justice is what I’m chipping away at takes here and there.

[Rai Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an anthropology book for sure. I'm glad the content is in print, just not my speed for casual reading

[Rdmooers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool to see the various rites of the Lakota, I think I was expecting more around some of the beliefs.

[Nathaniel Raymond]

Interesting, more of an instruction manual on Sioux rituals than anything. A small glimpse into some Native American beliefs and customs.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Any man who is attached to the senses and to the things of this world is one who lives in ignorance and is being consumed by the snakes, which represent his own passions.” –Black Elk

[Roger Bradbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am surprised to find The Sacred Pipe still available. I hope the current version has a glossary that describes the basic elements, mythical figures, and rites of the Oglala Sioux. I am from the Great Plains, and I know who White Buffalo Calf Woman is, but other readers may not.

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been a Black Elk fan since last year when I read Black Elk Speaks. Then, last month I was on mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation and really enjoyed a presentation on the Lakota spirituality and the seven sacred rituals. I then discovered that there was this book of Black Elk describing the rituals, so I bought it (at the Red Cloud School gift shop) and began reading it while on the rez.

There are very interesting insights in spirituality, some of which I will use, particularly in my always developing "theology of the plains." But overall the book was not that engaging as the lengthy descriptions of the rituals bored me. It is important that the Lakota were able to preserve detailed, lengthy descriptions of their rituals, as they were banned for generations. So, this is an important book for their culture and my boredom at parts of it should not reflect on its value and significance.

Black Elk conveyed great wisdom from which humanity could benefit. I was touched by this closing paragraph in the description of "The Throwing of the Ball" ritual:

At this sad time today among our people [the book was published in 1953] we are scrambling for the ball, and some are not even trying to catch it, which makes me cry when I think of it. But soon I know it will be caught, for the end is rapidly approaching, and then it will be returned to the center, and our people will be with it. It is my prayer that this be so, and it is in order to aid in this "recovery of the ball," that I have wished to make this book.

I did find the chapter on the Sun Dance difficult to read. If you are unfamiliar with the sun dance, it is very sacred rite that involves the cutting of flesh and the tying of one's body, via ropes, to the central tree and dance till the flesh is ripped. Fully aware of its sacred importance to the Lakota, I have difficulty understanding this ritual. I understand why it has been revived, as any of us would work to recover our cultural rituals had they been banned, but I wonder if the culture had been left to develop if there would have been more contemporary (and less bloody) versions of the ritual that would have developed? Think of how yoga, for instance, derived from early blood sacrifices and martial rites of the Hindus, as the ritual became more internalized. Also reading the one chapter on the Sun Dance reaffirmed my appreciation for being a Protestant and the radical view proposed by Luther that ritual actions are not required for us to receive grace.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Valuable as a detailed exposition of the seven sacred rites of the Oglala Sioux by the last of the tribe's holy men, Black Elk, this book has significant ethnographical and historical interest - especially for its detailed descriptions of the Sun Dance Ceremony, of the Vision Quest, of the keeping and releasing of souls, etc. The ritual for these are given in full, with their step-by-step procedures and the actual words and gestures used. Unfortunately, the editor, Joseph Epes Brown, has provided little more than a transcription of Black Elk's words, unaccompanied by any serious analysis or scholarly research. He provides few footnotes, and those are rarely helpful - are seemingly only random thoughts occurring to him at the moment. And he provides only a cursory biography of Black Elk - only a few sentences - completely ignores his exposure to Christianity, his baptism and "conversion" to Catholicism decades before he spoke to Brown. And he does not place the Oglala religion in context - does not comment on whether these seven rites were peculiar to the Oglala or common to all the Sioux tribes - whether there are variations in practice between the tribes. Does not place them in the broader context of Native American spirituality. Moreover the reader is not given any assurance that this is an accurate translation of Black Elk's words - no information about the extent that they may have been affected by Black Elk's son Joesph in translating them into English or been further modified by Epes Brown in the process of editing them into publishable form. These many omissions leave the reader feeling a deep desire for more information - for much more than that provided by this book if he is to assimilate Black Elk's words - if he is to get a true understanding of his spirituality. One the other hand and in defense of Brown, perhaps his intention was to allow Black Elk to speak for himself - unfiltered - to expose the reader directly to the thought of the Oglala holy man - to force the reader to make of it what he may. This the book does, and because it does, it is a unique record of the thought of a holy man and of a culture long gone.