Black Elk tells us the origin, the symbolism and function of the seven sacred rites that the Buffalo Cow Woman told them when she brought the sacred pipe to the Lakota people. Namely the seven rites are: the sacred pipe, the sweat lodge (the lodge to sweat), Sun Dance, the apparentage, the girl preparing for a Woman, playing the ball and to keep the rite soul and free it. The narrative is not as rich prayers declaimed during rites by the accuracy of the description of the ritual.
Sincere and moving stories, we see relatively quickly that the Native American tradition, devoid of romantic interpretation is complex and structured. I was far from imagining the real meaning of these rites and whose main purpose is the happiness of the nation!
I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to know the Native American traditions. It is a journey to the heart of the Indian soul.
