Lame Deer, Seeker of Visions Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapters 10-14: Inipi-Grandfather's Breath; Yuwipi-Little Lights from Nowhere; Looking at the Sun, They Dance; Don't Hurt the Trees; Roll Up the World Summary

Chapters 10-14: Inipi-Grandfather's Breath; Yuwipi-Little Lights from Nowhere; Looking at the Sun, They Dance; Don't Hurt the Trees; Roll Up the World Summary and Analysis

In this section of three chapters, traditional Sioux ceremonies are explained, both in actual performance and, as well, their significance to Indian religious and cultural heritage. The first, the Inipi, is the sweat bath, which is both sacred and steeped in ritual. Inipi occurs before any other ceremony as a cleansing ritual. The origin of the Inipi is the legend of the Stone Boy. According to the tale, a young girl lived with five brothers who hunted and moved often to follow the wildlife. They made camp in an area that gave them uneasiness but remained anyway. Each day the brothers would go out to hunt, and each day one less would return. Eventually, the young girl was all alone and desperate, swallowing a large rock to kill herself. Instead, she gave birth to a boy four days later, who grew very...
(read more)