Does anyone know how to do a sundance that brings the sun out from behind the clouds?
Yeah, the movie was “A Man Called Horse.” The Sundance of the Northern Plains nations (primarily among the Sioux and Cheyenne) is an annual religious observance in which the participants dance for several days (generally four). The dancing and piercings/cuttings are regarded as a form of personal sacrifice on behalf of the greater good… that is, one’s tribe. Men are pierced, generally on the chest and back. Women participants will cut themselves, frequently on the upper arm. To be selected as the individual who is tethered to the buffalo skull is to be granted a great honor. That individual will dance until the leather tether breaks. Needless to say, dancing in the summer sun with piercings and cuttings, is all physically exhausting. So usually the Sundance is done by those who are young and at the peak of physical conditioning, although tribal members of all ages will be present and participate by singing and drumming. Because of the increased interest in the Sundance by non-Native
The Sun Dance was popular among several Plains Indians groups, and while it really has nothing to do with the question you asked I couldn’t help but bring it up. You have to love a ceremony that is so controversial it was banned from being practiced in the United States for several years. Feel free to try it at home as it is legal now. All you need is a sweat lodge, a bison skull, and the ability to endure ridiculous pain. (Piercing aficionados take note.) Again, not really directly related to what you’re saying in anything but name, but it was posted under anthropology so I decided to get nerdy. I left details out, but if anyone is interested check out the links below. There was actually a movie made in the 70s where an actor actually participated in the ceremony in character. Random note there.
