When the teaching of the sacred ways was complete, White Buffalo Calf Woman told the people she would again return for the sacred bundle that she left with them. These prayers are through ceremonies that include the Sweat Lodge for purification the Naming Ceremony for child naming the Healing Ceremony to restore health to the body, mind and spirit the adoption ceremony for making of relatives the marriage ceremony for uniting male and female the Vision Quest for communing with the Creator for direction and answers to one’s life and the Sundance Ceremony to pray for the well-being of all the People. When White Buffalo Calf woman arrived with the sacred bundle (the prayer pipe) she taught the People of the seven sacred ways to pray. White Buffalo Calf Woman instructed the young man to go back to the People and tell them to prepare for her arrival to teach them of the way to pray. When the dust settled, nothing but a pile of bones lay next to her.Īs she walked toward the respectful young hunter, she explained to him that she had merely fulfilled the other man’s desire, allowing him, within that brief moment, to live a lifetime, die and decay.
White Buffalo Calf Woman beckoned the lustful warrior to her, and as he approached a cloud of dust arose around them causing them to be hidden from view. The second hunter approached her with lust in his eyes desiring her for his woman. One of the hunters looked upon her and recognizing her as a wakan, or sacred being lowered his eyes. Legend says that long ago, two young men were out hunting when from out of nowhere came a beautiful maiden dressed in white buckskin.
With that Pipe, seven sacred ceremonies were given for the people to abide in order to ensure a future with harmony, peace, and balance.
The Creator sent the sacred White Buffalo Calf Woman to teach the People how to pray with the Pipe. The legend of the White Buffalo Calf Woman tells how the People had lost the ability to communicate with the Creator.