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The Time of the SeasonsThe Time of the SeasonsByBy
VictorVictor DouvilleDouville
Wetu
Blo
ket
u
Ptanyetu
Wan
iyet
u
04/10/2304/10/23 22
The Time of the SeasonsThe Time of the SeasonsBy
Victor Douville
Copyright © 2006 by Victor Douville Published by Sinte Gleska University
04/10/2304/10/23 33
The Importance of the Time of The Importance of the Time of the Seasonsthe Seasons
The change of seasons are noted by natural and supernatural phenomena observed on the land and the skies by the people; and when they occurred, then preparation for seasonal activities began.
All tribes paid close attention to these changes of the seasons and prepared for each. Those that did not prepare adequately paid the price when the extreme seasons came upon them. Thus the tribal groups used many methods for measuring time to prepare well.
04/10/2304/10/23 44
The Mixed Lakota-Wasicun The Mixed Lakota-Wasicun CalendarCalendar
January………………….Wiotehika Wi (Hardship Moon) February………..Cannapopa Wi (Popping Tree Moon) March…….Istawicayazan Wi (Snow Blindness Moon) April……..Maka Stuta Wi (Thawing of Ground Moon) May…………….Canwape To Wi (Green Leaves Moon) June……Wipazuntka Waste Wi (Berries Ripen Moon) July………Canpa Sapa Wi (Black Chokecherry Moon) August………………………Wasutun Wi (Harvest Moon) September…..Canwape Gi Wi (Brown Leaves Moon) October…Canwape Kasna Wi (Leaves Blown Off M.) November………………….Waniyetu Wi (Winter Moon) December………….Wanicokan Wi (Mid Winter Moon)
04/10/2304/10/23 55
Traditional Lakota Seasonal Traditional Lakota Seasonal CalendarCalendar WetuWetu consists of two months consists of two months-Magasica-Magasica AgliAgli WiWi
(ducks return moon) and (ducks return moon) and CanwapetonCanwapeton (tree (tree grows leaf moon) (April and May)grows leaf moon) (April and May)
BloketuBloketu consists of four months- consists of four months-TinpsilaTinpsila WiWi (turnips moon), (turnips moon), CanpaCanpa SapaSapa WiWi (blackened choke (blackened choke cherry moon), cherry moon), KantaKanta SaSa WiWi (red plum moon), and (red plum moon), and CanwapeCanwape GiGi WiWi (leaf turns yellow/brown moon) (leaf turns yellow/brown moon) (June, July, August and September)(June, July, August and September)
PtanyetuPtanyetu consists of two months consists of two months-Canwape-Canwape KasnaKasna WiWi (leaves shake off moon) and (leaves shake off moon) and WaniyetuWaniyetu WiWi (first snow fall moon) (October and (first snow fall moon) (October and November)November)
WaniyetuWaniyetu consists of five months consists of five months-Wanicokan-Wanicokan WiWi (midwinter moon), (midwinter moon), TehiTehi WiWi (hardship moon), (hardship moon), Wicat’aWicat’a WiWi (dead moon), (dead moon), IstaIsta WicayazanWicayazan WiWi (hurting eyes moon) and (hurting eyes moon) and TanisniTanisni WiWi (invisible (invisible moon) (December, January, February and March) moon) (December, January, February and March)
04/10/2304/10/23 66
The Diversity of Lakota The Diversity of Lakota CalendarsCalendars
The Lakota have no standard calendar that The Lakota have no standard calendar that all the tribe members embrace wholly. This all the tribe members embrace wholly. This is because the Lakota traveled far to the is because the Lakota traveled far to the extreme north (North Dakota) and to the extreme north (North Dakota) and to the extreme south (Smoky Hills, Kansas) and extreme south (Smoky Hills, Kansas) and from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains. from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains. This vast territory yielded diverse vegetation This vast territory yielded diverse vegetation and trees. Weather in this area was also and trees. Weather in this area was also diverse. Thus the Lakota viewed and diverse. Thus the Lakota viewed and experienced the diversity of the north and experienced the diversity of the north and southern plain and climate that impacted southern plain and climate that impacted what they viewed and experienced. From what they viewed and experienced. From this experience came various interpretations this experience came various interpretations of the seasonal calendars.of the seasonal calendars.
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Traditional Lakota MonthsTraditional Lakota Months A new moon or a black A new moon or a black
moon is called Wit’e moon is called Wit’e (moon dies)(moon dies)
Wit’e also designates a Wit’e also designates a monthmonth
The Lakota observe 13 The Lakota observe 13 new moons that make new moons that make up a yearup a year
There are 28 days+ There are 28 days+ that complete the that complete the phase of a new moonphase of a new moon
There are 364 + 1 day There are 364 + 1 day that complete a Lakota that complete a Lakota yearyear
13 New Moons make up one year
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Lakota Moon CalendarLakota Moon Calendar
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
8
9
1011
12
13
Canpa Sapa Wi
Kanta Sa Wi
Canpa Gi Wi
Canwape Kasna Wi
Waniyetu Wi
Wanicokan Wi
Tehi Wi
Wicat’a Wi or Wica Tawi
Ista Wicayazan Wi
Taninsni Wi
Magasica Wi
Canwapeton Wi
Tinpsila Wi
13 new moons make up a year- starting with spring (Magasica Wi), the new year
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Method of Time RecordingMethod of Time Recording
Time keeper cuts 13 Time keeper cuts 13 slashes on a shaft to slashes on a shaft to indicate how many indicate how many times a new moon times a new moon appeared per yearappeared per year
Each shaft Each shaft represent- ed one represent- ed one yearyear
The first slash was The first slash was the new year moon the new year moon when calving time when calving time occurred or when occurred or when the ground thawedthe ground thawed
A more elaborate record can have all of the 28 notches representing the days following each new moon slash.This method is eff- icient because it is calibrated with changes every year.
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Traditional vs Contemporary Traditional vs Contemporary Calendar SystemsCalendar Systems
1
234
56 7 8 91
0 11 1
213141516
1718
19
20
21
2223
24
25
26
27
28
Maka Stuta Wi (ground Thaw Moon)
sun mon tue wed thu fri sat1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31
January 2006
(The New Year)
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The SeasonsThe Seasons
Wetu (time of the sun)-Wetu (time of the sun)-SpringSpring
Bloketu (time of the bull) Bloketu (time of the bull) SummerSummer
Ptanyetu (time of decay)-Ptanyetu (time of decay)-FallFall
Waniyetu (time of seeing Waniyetu (time of seeing the breath) -Winterthe breath) -Winter
Wan
iyet
u
Blo
ketu
Wetu
Ptanyetu
Cycle of the Dipper
Wetu is from Wiyetu(time of the sun), Blokayetu(time of the male), Ptanyetu (time of spoiling or decaying) and Waniyetu (time of snow breath)
04/10/2304/10/23 1212
Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: SpringNatural Signs: Spring
Warm weather Warm weather Thawing of snow Thawing of snow
and flooding in the and flooding in the low landslow lands
Vegetation and Vegetation and land- scape land- scape gradually turns gradually turns greengreen
Spring rains beginsSpring rains begins CalvingCalving
Pasque Flower blooms in early spring -a signal plant used in the Ghost Dance Millenium
Photos courtesy of V.Douville photo collections
04/10/2304/10/23 1313
Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: SummerNatural Signs: Summer
Hot ClimateHot Climate Tornado seasonTornado season Blooming of most Blooming of most
vegetationvegetation Fattening of gameFattening of game Shedding of Shedding of
gaming animal gaming animal skinskinPhoto courtesy of V.
Douville photo collections
04/10/2304/10/23 1414
Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: FallNatural Signs: Fall
Cold rainCold rain Weather turns coldWeather turns cold Change of Change of
vegetation color vegetation color from greenfrom green
Vegetation dies in Vegetation dies in late fall and land- late fall and land- scap e is barren scap e is barren
Animals gain thick Animals gain thick hidehide
Rutting seasonRutting seasonPhoto courtesy of V. Douville photo collections
04/10/2304/10/23 1515
Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: WinterNatural Signs: Winter
Climate becomes Climate becomes harshharsh
Landscape, at Landscape, at times, becomes times, becomes covered with snow covered with snow and iceand ice
Large game Large game become scarcebecome scarce
The people go into The people go into winter quarterswinter quarters
Photo courtesy of V. Douville photo collections
04/10/2304/10/23 1616
Seasonal Changes as Seen in Seasonal Changes as Seen in the Sky: Spring the Sky: Spring
Downward-Downward-horizon- tal horizon- tal appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper
The first point of The first point of Cansasa Ipusye Cansasa Ipusye appearsappears
The return of the The return of the geesegeesePleides/Wicincala
Sakowin (7 girls)
Cansasa Ipusye
1st point of Aries
Itkob U (flies toward)refers to the ducks
04/10/2304/10/23 1717
Seasonal Changes as seen in Seasonal Changes as seen in the Sky: Summerthe Sky: Summer
Downward Downward vertical position vertical position of the Big Dipperof the Big Dipper
Ecliptic of sun Ecliptic of sun through Mato through Mato TipilaTipila
Rainy seasonRainy season Tornado seasonTornado season
Precession delays this for one month
04/10/2304/10/23 1818
Seasonal Changes as Seen in Seasonal Changes as Seen in the Sky: Fallthe Sky: Fall
Face up-horizontal Face up-horizontal appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper
Appearance of Ta- Appearance of Ta- yamni constellationyamni constellation
The migration of The migration of the geese the geese southward in late southward in late fallfall
04/10/2304/10/23 1919
Signs in the Sky Signaling Signs in the Sky Signaling Seasonal Change: WinterSeasonal Change: Winter
Updward-vertical Updward-vertical appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper
The brighter appear-The brighter appear-ance of Cansasa Ipus- ance of Cansasa Ipus- ye, Tayamni, Pleides, ye, Tayamni, Pleides, and Mato Tipila con- and Mato Tipila con- stellationsstellations
The ecliptic of the full The ecliptic of the full moon into the sacred moon into the sacred hoop constellationhoop constellation
Full Moon Enters the Hoop
Precession delays this until next month
04/10/2304/10/23 2020
Seasonal Activities: SpringSeasonal Activities: Spring Repairing of the tipisRepairing of the tipis Spring hunts are Spring hunts are
organized and exe- organized and exe- cuted-the Tatecuted-the Tate
Movements of the Movements of the camps to higher camps to higher ground to preserve ground to preserve the tipithe tipi
Harvesting of spring Harvesting of spring floraflora
Tinpsila photo courtesy of Paintings from Simon & Schuster, illustrated by Ian Thompson
Courtesy of Paintings from Simon & Schuster books, illustrated by Ian Thompson
04/10/2304/10/23 2121
Seasonal Activities: SummerSeasonal Activities: Summer
Gathering of fruits, Gathering of fruits, vegetables, medici- vegetables, medici- nal and plant dyesnal and plant dyes
Social and hunting Social and hunting gatherings for court-gatherings for court-ing, marriage, and ing, marriage, and for smaller hunts for smaller hunts preceding the an-preceding the an-nual large fall huntnual large fall hunt
Lichens
Plums
Choke Cherries
June Berry
Plant photos courtesy of Sarah Wolfe
04/10/2304/10/23 2222
Seasonal Activities: FallSeasonal Activities: Fall
Prepare to establish Prepare to establish winter campswinter camps
Harvest cattail fluff for Harvest cattail fluff for diapersdiapers
Harvest Omnica Ta Harvest Omnica Ta Maka (ground bean)Maka (ground bean)
The Wanasapi-the The Wanasapi-the great tribal hunt is great tribal hunt is conductedconducted
Trade hide and meat Trade hide and meat for corn, beans, sun- for corn, beans, sun- flowers, squash and flowers, squash and tobaccotobacco
Blazing Star- a signal plant
Courtesy of V. Douville photo collections
Ground BeansCattail Fluff
Plant photos Courtesy of Sarah Wolfe
Karl Bodmer painting
04/10/2304/10/23 2323
Fall Hunt Yields Food for Winter
American Bison, Female
04/10/2304/10/23 2424
Seasonal Activities: WinterSeasonal Activities: Winter Settle into winter Settle into winter
quartersquarters Tate (family hunting) Tate (family hunting)
is undertakenis undertaken Dancing, games, Dancing, games,
feasts and ceremonial feasts and ceremonial rites are donerites are done
Courting/marriages Courting/marriages take placetake place
Winter counts are Winter counts are drawn up and story drawn up and story telling takes placetelling takes place
Lodge poles, cansasa Lodge poles, cansasa (tobacco mix) buffalo (tobacco mix) buffalo berries, grapes and berries, grapes and rose hips are rose hips are harvestedharvested
Paintings courtesy of The Plains Indians? Simon & Schuster Books
04/10/2304/10/23 2525
Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: SpringSpring
Preparing the tobacco Preparing the tobacco mix and pipe for the mix and pipe for the spring ceremoniesspring ceremonies
Welcoming back the Welcoming back the thundersthunders
Welcoming back all Welcoming back all life in peacelife in peace
Ritual observance of Ritual observance of vernal equinox-the vernal equinox-the battle of day over battle of day over nightnight
OCCUPIES 50 DEGREES OF SPACE
THE PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES (1 DEGREE REVERSAL MOVE OF THE STARS EVERY 72 Y EARS) CAUSES POSITION OF SUN TO BE HERE
POSITION OF SUN 1616 BC (1984) AT SPRING (50x72 Y RS)
HELIACAL RISE OF CANSASA IPUSY E SIGNALS SPRING TIME AND THE CAMPS PREPARE FOR THE SPRING RITES TO BE PERFORMED AT HARNEY PEAK
04/10/2304/10/23 2626
Spring Equinox
Red Race Track
1st point of Aries
Big Dipper Cansasa
Ipusye
(Kiiyanka Ocanku Sa)
04/10/2304/10/23 2727
Sun DanceSun Dance Name GivingName Giving Ear Piercing Ear Piercing Social DancesSocial Dances Sweat Sweat
CeremoniesCeremonies Ritual observance Ritual observance
of summer of summer solstice -the sway solstice -the sway of day over nightof day over night
Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: SummerSummer
Courtesy of V. Douville drawing collections
04/10/2304/10/23 2828
Seasonal Ceremonies: FallSeasonal Ceremonies: Fall
Buffalo Dreamers Buffalo Dreamers rites & Elk Dream- rites & Elk Dream- ers rites at about ers rites at about the same time of the same time of the large tribal the large tribal gather- ing for the gather- ing for the fall huntfall hunt
Autumnal Equinox Autumnal Equinox observance-the observance-the ritual observance ritual observance of the battle of of the battle of night over daynight over day
Anpetu
Darkness gains strength
Hanhepi
04/10/2304/10/23 2929
Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: WinterWinter
Winter solstice observ- Winter solstice observ- anceance
It is the time when the It is the time when the Waziyata, north cardinal Waziyata, north cardinal direction, brings cold direction, brings cold weatherweather
It is the time when It is the time when Hanwi, diety of Hanwi, diety of darkness, prevails over darkness, prevails over Anpetu, day- people pay Anpetu, day- people pay homage to Waziyata homage to Waziyata and Hanhepiand Hanhepi
Lakota go into winter-Lakota go into winter-quarters where limited quarters where limited ritual activities occur ritual activities occur
Hanhepi
Anpetu
04/10/2304/10/23 3030
The Shifting SeasonsThe Shifting Seasons
The seasons came in cycles in a seemingly endless passage of time that was measured by generations; and these generations were set in groups of four and seven to break the seasonal monotony or stalemate in order to bring in appropriate changes based on lifestyle alterations. Moreover, these changes were generally gradual.
The time of the seasons was truly a great under-taking that each tribal group looked forward to accomplish every year.
04/10/2304/10/23 3131
HeceglaHeceglaHecegla