8.+Native+Americans+-+the+Sioux+Tribe

The Sioux tribe is a great and powerful North American Indian tribe. It was given its name by the French in 1640. The Sioux play an important part in the history of the Native Americans, and are a well-known tribe. Many famous Indian chiefs were Sioux Indians, such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

The Sioux nation consists of many different tribes, but the main three are The Lakota, the Dakota and the Nakota tribes. The Dakota tribe consists of four smaller bands, the Lakota tribe of seven bands, and the Nakota tribe consists of three.

The Sioux Indians are very spiritual people, and they communicated with the spiritual world by dancing and playing music. One of the most religious ceremonies the Sioux Indians had was the Sun Dance. The Sun Dance lasted twelve days, and gave the participating men a feeling of affiliation to the tribe. War was an important part of the Sioux tribe’s culture. The Sun Dance was supposed to reassert the men their identity as a warrior, and that identity, they only got if they endured the pain of the self-inflicted wounds while they were dancing the Sun Dance. This ritual was a way to serve the Great Spirit. It was important to the men to be warriors, because it gave him prestige, and in that way his family was honored.

The Sioux tribe is known for its great warriors, but the family is also one of the most important parts of their culture. Especially children got very much attention in the Sioux families. Men and women’s lives were very different. Men were expected to be brave warriors who protected their family, but would also have to hunt to provide food for his wofe and children. The women ruled the family life.

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