You have noticed that every- thing an Indian does is in a circle and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles and everything tries to be round… The Sky is round and I have heard that the Earth is round… and all the Stars. The Wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours… Even the seasons form a circle in their changing and always come back again to the way they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where Power moves.
—BLACK ELK, SIOUX HOLY MAN (1863–1950)
The following is an overview of customs specific to the Sioux, Omaha, Sauk and Fox, and Navajo:
The Sioux. In times past, at death, a family dressed the deceased in the finest clothes, as a sign of honor. They placed moccasins with beaded soles on the feet so the deceased could walk to the spirit world. The family then wrapped the body in a buffalo robe and put it in a tree where birds and small animals could feed on it. Eventually, the body dropped to the ground and fed larger animals. The remains regenerated the earth, so grass will grow and provide food for the buffalo. The Sioux people killed the buffalo that, in turn, provided food, warmth, shelter and weapons. This circle was complete and created harmony for all living things.
Today, Sioux burial customs are based on the family’s religion. Usually, the funeral home prepares the body and transports it to the town hall or church. The wake lasts from one to three nights, with evening prayers or religious services. Someone is with the body at all times. During the wake, women tend to cry quietly, while men appear stoic. Family members and friends bring gifts of food and help with preparation of three or four meals each day. The family digs the grave and places the body into it. Family and friends then fill the grave. A feast follows the burial and the family gives away all the leftover food. The Sioux bring their own bowls to take any leftover food home. The family is honored when what they have is taken. Some or all of the deceased’s belong- ings are given away to friends. The Sioux do not fear dead people’s spirits or consider them unlucky. They may call on them for help and guidance.
The Omaha. When a member of the Omaha Tribe dies, a funeral home usually prepares the body for burial and takes it to the home of a relative. Friends and relatives gather together for four days and stay up with the body each night. They offer special prayers each night at 2:30 a.m. The Road Man conducts the nightly ceremony. He receives a ritual gift of tobacco from the family for his services. The Peyote Woman or Earth Mother takes charge of preparing the food for all three meals each day. The family of the deceased buys most of the food. Friends also bring food. On the fourth morning, there is a special ceremony at 2:30 a.m. The coffin is brought to the doorway of the teepee and participants inside pray, smoke peyote, and sing. The family then prepares the grave and buries the body by 2:30 p.m. that day. Only those who help serve and assist the family receive giveaways of the deceased’s possessions.
The Sauk and Fox. When a Sauk and Fox tribal member dies, family and friends bring the body home. Someone always stays with it. After several days of mourning, they bury the body and build a little house over the grave. The house is about three feet high and six feet long. The spirit lives in this house until it is ready to go on to the next world. The Sauk and Fox then build a big fire near the grave and cook all the food the deceased person liked. Before the family serves this food, however, they also prepare a special tray of food and a bottle of whiskey to feed the spirit. Next they throw these offerings into the fire. After the ceremonial meal is over, it is important that Sauk and Fox people do not look back at the grave because they believe they may become tied to the spirit if they do. Being tied to the spirit is considered very bad luck. The spirit may take the living person who is tied to it into the next world.
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VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY: CROSS CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF AT THE LOSS OF AN INFANT
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