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Re: Checking the archives, noticed something.

Written by Rood at 31 May 2002 06:51:34:

As an answer to: Checking the archives, noticed something. written by Anonymous at 31 May 2002 05:53:44:

I, too, am from Dakotah and have been fascinated with the Native American culture, especially that which existed along the Missouri prior to and just after the arrival of Europeans in the late 1700's and early 1800's. I am quite familiar with the religio-mystical O-kee-pa ceremony of the Mandan peoples of the upper Missouri in which the men willingly tortured and mutilated themselves.

The Mandan were a Siouan people. Was the O-kee-pa also a ceremony of the Lakota at that time? I have seen recent photographs indicating that it is still in force among certain groups. I believe it is called a Ceremony to the Sun, today, but I may be mistaken.

I find it interesting that an adult Native American would make a conscious decision to participate in such a ceremony, whereas the European and the Semitic peoples would force their religious mutilations upon helpless children. Which civilization is more cultured?

If you are acquainted with the O-kee-pa, perhaps you could describe it to us. Certainly it is a far more manly and demanding discipline than the cowardly genital mutilation of newborn babies that is known as circumcision.

At any rate, I'm happy to see you here, and hope to learn from you.

Rood


>Someone mentioned Lakota keeping the foreskin back. That would be impossible, since I AM Lakota, was raised on Pine Ridge reservation, and NEVER heard of that. Though it is true that the Lakota word for adult penis is sluka, it has nothing to do with the foreskin. For one thing, the Lakota word for childhood penis is slukila. (For reference, "la" means small.) Also, the foreskin (skin covering the head of the penis) is a more complex idea than the penis: Lakota combines simple concepts into more complex concepts.
>Ruth Beebe Hill is a white woman who misrepresents herself as Indian to make a buck. She's been denounced by traditional elders: http://www.lakotaoyate.com/recommended.htm#Not%20Recommended
>Bottom line: Don't believe everything you read.


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