Tatanka
Tatanka is a Lakota word that literally means “bull buffalo,” but Tatanka meant more than that. Ceremonies and daily life revolved around sacred reverence for Tatanka. The bison provided not only clothing and meat for the tribes but it also was their source for weapons and utensils. Every part of the buffalo (bison) was used by the tribes. In the 1820’s there began a mass killing of the bison by the whites with the goal of making money from the hides and driving the buffalo to extinction so that they could run the tribes out and take over the land for themselves. A few people saw what was happening and saved just 1,000 of the animals from mass slaughter. It is with these 1,000 that the herds have now been rebuilt to 400,000 of today. These are primarily on ranches and private reserves.
The legend of the White Buffalo goes back about 2,000 years, told through the generations of the Oglala Sioux tribe. The story is told at many Council Meetings, Sacred Ceremonies, and by Storytellers. As many Stories and Legends, there are several variations, but all have the same theme; Communicating with the Creator through prayer, and with clear intent of Peace, Harmony and Balance for all things living in Mother Earth. The Legend tells about how the people had lost the ability to communicate with the Creator. The Creator sent White Buffalo Calf Woman to teach the people how to pray with the pipe. Seven Sacred Ceremonies were given along with the pipe to ensure a future with Harmony, Peace and Balance.
