The Mandan’s …show more content…
One of the ceremonies that took place was a buffalo dance. The buffalo dance was done prior to the great buffalo hunt and was done to ensure that the buffalo would be plentiful and close to their reservation. The Mandan went on a buffalo hunt twice a year. Everyone within the tribe (men, women, and children) took part in the great buffalo hunt. During this time, they walked for several days along the grassy plans and stayed in teepees (Lepthien, 1989).
The Okipa was a ceremony that took place over four days following the Buffalo hunt. This ceremony was for younger men to test their endurance (Lepthien, 1989). During the four day period, the young boys would fast and sacrifice themselves in order to unify the Mandan’s, be accepted as warriors, and find their place in the tribe. The ceremony consisted of various torturous and self-torturous actions. During the time of their fasting, the young men would get images from animal spirits that they reported to their elders, and their images would determine their role in the village. After this event, they would become warriors and men (Encyclopedia of,