Wo Lakota : Inheriting and Practicing the Lakota Way in a Native American Society(<Special Issue>Religious Education and Transmission)

Abstract

The Lakota Sioux are a traditionally nomadic Plains Indian society who now reside in South Dakota in the USA. This paper examines how they maintain and practice Wo Lakota (the Lakota way), which is their traditional belief and value system and by which they set their standard of behavior. The author situates their traditional Four Values: Generosity, Courage, Respect and Wisdom, and Seven Rites: Sweat Lodge, Sundance, Vision Quest, Hunka, Ghost Keeping, Girl's Puberty, and Throwing the Ball as major constituents of Wo Lakota and gives an account of how they are carried out in their current living. The paper further considers the instrumentals that support the succession and practice of Wo Lakota and examines the role of Medicine man, Tyoshipaye, and school education. The author recognizes in particular the importance of Lokota language and culture instruction introduced during primary and higher education that serves as a strong engine for maintaining Lakota culture, ultimately contributing to the revival of Lakota society.