This statue is found outside of the Prairie Edge store in Rapid City, South Dakota. I commemorates one of the sacred ceremonies for indiginous Lakota people. I am not of Native American heritage but when I did a bit of research it seems that this ceremony is a way of passing down Lakota heritage to the next generation. As I understand it, it seems that the older woman holds a position somewhat like a godparent toward the young girl in the ceremony. If you are Lakota, please feel free to leave a comment explaining this to those of us who would like to learn more about Hunkayapi.
A beautiful statue...and as I am from so far away I only can remember that Lakota was a tribe of what we call "Indianer", but this expression is not contemporary.
ReplyDeleteHave a good time
Violetta
Good to see. Thank you for sharing. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! The expression on her face is so kind and gentle.
ReplyDelete-Soma
Love the statue, definitely an issue worth remembering.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful statue, such detailed work.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
So interesting to learn history of places and peoples when we visit. Enjoy your week and thankyou again for the linkup.
ReplyDeleteGreat capture of the statue!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful statue that captures the spirit of the Hunkayapi ceremony.
ReplyDeleteAmazing statue, Great pics. Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteC'est la moindre des choses que de leur consacrer quelques statues. je pense qu'il n'y a pas eu de pire génocide au monde que celui des populations indiennes en Amérique du Nord. Et en plus il a été glorifié pendant des décennies dans la plupart des westerns hollywoodiens
ReplyDeleteThere have been so many horrible instances of genocide in our world. I don't believe we can rate any of them "best" or "worst".
DeleteYou are right. But what makes this one unique is that it actually succeeded, because there are very few Native Americans left and their culture has been completely eradicated. It is the only genocide that has been so massively glorified by Hollywood films, and recently your president referred to ‘the conquest of the Great Plains’ in a speech to the army. Even brilliant films such as Little Big Man and The Cheyenne Way fail to erase this original stain.
DeleteI just returned a month ago from a trip where I met many Native Americans who have surmounted the challenge of preserving their culture. What was done to them was inexcusable, but many indigenous people survive in the US, Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, and there is plenty of evidence that their traditions, language, and culture are being preserved. It is a testament to the human drive to thrive even in the face of great suffering. As to our president, he most assuredly doesn't speak for everyone, and he absolutely does NOT speak for me.
DeleteWonderful statue! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe statue is beautiful, but the story behind is much more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for it!
Happy WW and a fine week!❤️😘
Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI took the same photo!
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