Preparing for the Sun Dance
by Howard Terpning
Available on secondary market only; call for quote.
To the Blackfeet Indians, the Sun Dance was a complicated ritual proving that a young man was ready to become a warrior. " The part of the ceremony my painting depicts shows the young man being painted with holy white paint," explains the artist. "The sage around his head, wrists and ankles is from inside the sweat lodge and is also sacred. He holds an eagle bone whistle through which he will blow during the ritual."
For the trial, the initiated will have pieces of wood put through incisions in his chest muscles. Rawhide thongs attached to a pole are then tied to the wood. The young man proves himself by swinging around the pole, blowing the whistle, until his flesh gives way.
This is only a brief summary of the arduous ordeal the young Blackfeet Indian is undertaking. The Sun Dance, though painful, was the supreme expression of the Blackfeet religion, and gives the young man an unquestioned right to the title of warrior.
Call us today at 1-661-298-2038, toll free 1-800-255-6498 or send email to bnr@thevine.net (For fastest service, please include your phone number and street address in your e-mail message.)
Return to B & R home page