Black Elk and Indigenous Spirituality

Bc. Jan Kubínek

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The spirituality of the Native Americans cannot be described or explained simply by words. It is the perception of an individual of the surrounding world and his or her position within it. One needs to become involved in this spirituality to understand it. And as for the outsiders with their own beliefs and traditions, this might be a “mission impossible.” It is not just converting to a different religion with a different god. It is accepting a different way of life and system of values. Black Elk, a Lakota holy man, agreed to share his life story and thus opened the door to the world of the Lakotas of the nineteenth century. He provides a valuable insight not only into the culture of his nation but also into his personal perception of things around him. He describes events significant for him as well as affairs going beyond the limits of his tribe. The most valuable of the information he provides is the description of his Great Vision. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to put Black Elk’s narrative into context of the whole Great Plains and the Lakota culture taking into consideration the social, historical and religious situation of that time.

Abstract:

The spirituality of the Native Americans cannot be described or explained simply by words. It is the perception of an individual of the surrounding world and his or her position within it. One needs to become involved in this spirituality to understand it. And as for the outsiders with their own beliefs and traditions, this might be a “mission impossible.” It is not just converting to a different religion with a different god. It is accepting a different way of life and system of values. Black Elk, a Lakota holy man, agreed to share his life story and thus opened the door to the world of the Lakotas of the nineteenth century. He provides a valuable insight not only into the culture of his nation but also into his personal perception of things around him. He describes events significant for him as well as affairs going beyond the limits of his tribe. The most valuable of the information he provides is the description of his Great Vision. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to put Black Elk’s narrative into context of the whole Great Plains and the Lakota culture taking into consideration the social, historical and religious situation of that time.

Keywords

North American Indians, Indigenous people of North America, spirituality, rituals, ceremonies, visions, Sun Dance, Black Elk, Crazy Horse, Great Plains

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 1. 7. 2009

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 8. 9. 2009
• Supervisor: B.A. Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature