Indigenous Nations like the Sioux had – some were using stone tools into the 17th century.
Sioux bands were small, around 400 people, and .
Sioux homes – – were made of buffalo skin, supported by wooden poles. Easily assembled and dismantled for quick moves.
Belongings were stored in buffalo skin bags called and transported on travois pulled by horses.
They moved often due to the harsh environment, following buffalo migrations and living as the Great Spirit desired, viewing a permanent homes as a .
Food and Calendar
Sioux were hunter-gatherers, growing maize, squashes, beans, and turnips (asking before harvesting). Their primary food source was the buffalo.
Lakota year: 13 months, following moon phases, with four seasons:
- Wetu (Spring): Repairing weapons, tipis, and caring for horses.
- Bloketu (Summer): Following buffalo migrations; summer thiyospaye gathering.
- Ptanyetu (Autumn): Women preserved food; warriors engaged in warfare.
- Waniyetu (Winter): Time for , games, and ceremonies.
Buffalo Hunt
The central event of the year was the , involving skill and danger, and celebrated by eating the RAW liver, kidneys, and sometimes the heart. The buffalo provided most necessities, so farming wasn’t needed.
Social Roles and Activities
Men hunted and went to war; women gathered, cared for children, and managed home tasks. Non-conforming men and women could take on opposite roles.
Children were and never struck.
Sioux sports developed skills to help them on the Great Plains (horse racing, shooting contests), preparing for hunts and warfare.
Women’s leisure: Decorating clothing and tipis with beads and quills, often with religious meanings.
Reasons for Living in Tipis
1. Warm in winter, cool in summer.
2. Required no wood to build.
3. Its withstood strong Plains winds.
4. Easy to move, suited their nomadic lifestyle.
5. Fixed homes were unhealthy.
6. Circular shape connected to belief that 'the Power of the world works in circles'.
The Buffalo’s Role in Sioux Life
Food: Eaten dried as ; liver, brain, and nose gristle were delicacies, eaten raw.
Fuel: Buffalo dung, dried.
Utensils: Horns and hooves for cups/bowls; bones for knives/glue; tongue as a hairbrush; tail as a fly swat; fat for soap; sinews for bow-strings and thread.
Hides: Provided tipi covers, clothes, moccasins, bedding, parflèches, and bags.
Nomadic life was based on buffalo migrations.
Religion: Eating the heart claimed buffalo strength; buffalo dances called the herd; skull used in religious ceremonies.
Values: Hunt was a community event; duty of warriors to feed the old and weak first.
Importance of the HORSE
1. Essential to nomadic lifestyle; pulled belongings on travois.
2. Vital for all travel across the Great Plains.
3. Buffalo hunts conducted on horseback.
4. War aim: capture horses and show bravery.
5. Currency in the form of horses.
6. Dowry for marriage often paid in horses.
7. Horse-stealing from other tribes was admired.
Technology and Nomadic Life
Indigenous Nations like the Sioux had LIMITED TECHNOLOGY – some were using stone tools into the 17th century.
Sioux bands were small, around 400 people, and NOMADIC.
Sioux homes – TIPIS – were made of buffalo skin, supported by wooden poles. Easily assembled and dismantled for quick moves.
Belongings were stored in buffalo skin bags called PARFLÈCHES and transported on travois pulled by horses.
They moved often due to the harsh environment, following buffalo migrations and living as the Great Spirit desired, viewing a permanent homes as a CAGE.
Food and Calendar
Sioux were hunter-gatherers, growing maize, squashes, beans, and turnips (asking PERMISSION before harvesting). Their primary food source was the buffalo.
Lakota year: 13 months, following moon phases, with four seasons:
- Wetu (Spring): Repairing weapons, tipis, and caring for horses.
- Bloketu (Summer): Following buffalo migrations; summer thiyospaye gathering.
- Ptanyetu (Autumn): Women preserved food; warriors engaged in warfare.
- Waniyetu (Winter): Time for STORY-TELLING, games, and ceremonies.
Buffalo Hunt
The central event of the year was the BUFFALO HUNT, involving skill and danger, and celebrated by eating the RAW liver, kidneys, and sometimes the heart. The buffalo provided most necessities, so farming wasn’t needed.
Social Roles and Activities
Men hunted and went to war; women gathered, cared for children, and managed home tasks. Non-conforming men and women could take on opposite roles.
Children were RARELY DISCIPLINED and never struck.
Sioux sports developed skills to help them SURVIVE on the Great Plains (horse racing, shooting contests), preparing for hunts and warfare.
Women’s leisure: Decorating clothing and tipis with beads and quills, often with religious meanings.
Reasons for Living in Tipis
1. Warm in winter, cool in summer.
2. Required no wood to build.
3. Its SHAPE withstood strong Plains winds.
4. Easy to move, suited their nomadic lifestyle.
5. Fixed homes were unhealthy.
6. Circular shape connected to belief that 'the Power of the world works in circles'.
The Buffalo’s Role in Sioux Life
Food: Eaten dried as PEMMICAN; liver, brain, and nose gristle were delicacies, eaten raw.
Fuel: Buffalo dung, dried.
Utensils: Horns and hooves for cups/bowls; bones for knives/glue; tongue as a hairbrush; tail as a fly swat; fat for soap; sinews for bow-strings and thread.
Hides: Provided tipi covers, clothes, moccasins, bedding, parflèches, and bags.
Nomadic life was based on buffalo migrations.
Religion: Eating the heart claimed buffalo strength; buffalo dances called the herd; skull used in religious ceremonies.
Values: Hunt was a community event; duty of warriors to feed the old and weak first.
Importance of the Horse
1. Essential to nomadic lifestyle; pulled belongings on travois.
