The Sundance Ritual

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how the Sundance ritual is an ancient and primitive pain ritual, designed to test men's bravery and ability to withstand piercing and dancing in the sun for four days without food, water, or rest in exchange for the protection of the Great Spirit and how it is an individual ordeal of sacrifice, discipline, and spiritual awareness. In particular, the paper examines how the dance has become more spiritual and even political due to the current circumstances of its practitioners, namely a very marginalized group of indigenous people living in conditions of poverty and suffering from a number of problems such as alcoholism and loss of group identity due to assimilation pressures and political oppression.

From the Paper:

"The Sun Dance itself is four days long and takes place in early summer, but is prepared for throughout the year. The sacred tree that forms the central pole is selected as soon as the prior Sun Dance ends, and is continually prepared until the ritual. The entire community takes part in various aspects of the ritual, including women and children, although only men are pierced. On each of the four days, chants to the four directions are performed, healings are performed, and those who have pledged are pierced and tied to the central pole until their flesh gives way. Although they do retain the practice of flesh offerings, they no longer fast the entire time, but only from midnight to noon. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lewis, Thomas H. Medicine Men: Oglala Sioux Ceremony and Healing. University of Nebraska Press, 1990.
• Mails, Thomas E. Sundancing: The Great Sioux Piercing Ritual. Council Oak Books, 1998.
• Peltier, Leonard. Prison Writings: My Life Is My Sun Dance. St. Martin's Press, 1999

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