The History and Culture of the Spirit Lake Dakota
The history and Culture of the Spirit Lake Dakota
This message is for the young boys. They should be of age leaving childhood (hoksina) and starting to be a teenager (Koska), about 12-13 years of age. Throughout the world different societies use a ritual or ceremony to mark this occasion. First Communion, Bar mitzvah, Club Scout to Boy Scout. Among the Dakota their rite of passage is called Going on a Hill. In the Dakota language they say Hanbdeceya (Han = Hanyetu = night; Bde = doing it yourself; Ceya = to cry), in English “Crying through the Night”. The crying part is the boy pleading with the spirits to give him a vision. Asking the spirits to guide him in the future.
For ninety percent of boys this ceremony is not used. It is known about, and different excuses are used to defray this event. Some say they are in a modern society where this is not done. Others say the family don’t believe in it; others just didn’t get around to it. The boarding school era did a good job of erasing this right of passage.
In the old Dakota society, it is the mother’s father who would take control of his grandson. This is done as the boy’s father might pity him and not train him in the proper way. Whereas the boy’s grandfather his Unkanna, is not directly related him except though his daughter. His job is to make a man of his grandson, so he can be a Caske, meaning someone to depend on as he must protect his sisters at all costs. Take care of is mother and others as the man of the house after the death of his father.
Naturally the family may not be intact, and another outstanding person will fill in the roll of the grandfather. Usually, a sweat lodge is used (Initipi) is to purify the grandfather and boy. The youngster must humble himself (Wicowahba). A suitable isolated spot, usually a hill, is selected. The boy must stay on the hill for four days and nights. At the end of four nights his grandfather will retrieve him, and they will return to the Sweat Lodge, after purification the boy will reveal his vision. He cannot eat food or drink. During this time of isolation, the boy must pray and cry as it is a difficult time for him. Many times, the mind of the boy wanders and after the end of his suffering, no spirit comes to him. Then the decision is made to disband the suffering and perhaps select another time to try again. Any male adult can go on the hill, this Crying for a Vision can be accomplished though out one’s life. Remember the four days without food or water is difficult for anyone.
