next »

[HinTamaheca]

I have seen a number of lists over the years of what are portrayed as Lakota "virtues", or sometimes portrayed as the Lakota "spiritual laws."

Elders have taught these ways of living well with ohunkakan stories for a very long time, without the need for an "official list." However, the intent of highlighting what are good charateristics in a person and a society always has value, no matter what the form. Some of them are similar to each other, but the following are my favorite lists I thought I would share, as a gift for the New Calendar Year.

List I - Author: Birgil Kills Straight - Oglala Lakota

1) Wacante Oganake, "To help, to share, to give, to be generous."
2) Wowaunsila, "Pity, Compassion."
3) Wowauonihan, "To Repect, to Honor."
4) Wowacintanka, "Patience and Tolerance."
5) Wowahwala, "To be Humble, To Seek Humility."
6) Woohitike, "To be Guided By Your Principles, Disciplined, Bravery and Courage."
7) Woksape, "Understanding and Wisdom."


List II - Author: George Plenty Wolf - Oglala Lakota

1) Wowahwala - "Walk quietly, slowly, humble."
2) Waunsila - "Walk with compassion for your relatives."
3) Wowokiye - "Be helpful without waiting to be asked."
4) Wayunihan - "Be respectful of all things."
5) Wokciumpte - "Keep a good attitude."
6) Wawoktugan - "Practice forgiveness."
7) Wopila - "Be Thankful."


List III - Author: Joseph Marshall III - Sicangu/Oglala Lakota

1)  Unsiiciyapi - "To be humble, modest, unpretentious." (humility)
2)  Wowacintanka - "To persist, to strive in spite of difficulties." (perseverance)
3)  Wawoohola - "To be considerate, to hold in high esteem." (respect)
4)  Wayuonihan - "To have integrity, to have an honest and upright character." (honor)
5)  Cantognake - "To place and hold in one's heart." (love)
6)  Icicupi - "To give of one's self, an offering." (sacrifice)
7)  Wowicake - "That which is real, the way the world is." (truth)
8 )  Waunsilapi - "To care, to sympathize." (compassion)
9)  Woohitike - "Having or showing courage." (bravery)
10) Cantewasake - "Strength of heart and mind." (fortitude)
11) Canteyuke - "To give, to share, to have a heart." (generosity)
12) Woksape - "To understand what is right and true, to use knowledge wisely." (wisdom)

List IV - Author: Sinte Gleska University, Rosebud, SD

1) Woksape - "Wisdom"
2) Woohitika - "Bravery"
3) Wowacintanka - "Fortitude"
4) Wacantognaka - "Generosity"


List V - Author: David Little Elk, Mnicojou Lakota; also adopted by the Native American Church of South Dakota, Inc.

1) Wocekiya - "Prayer"
2) Waohola - "Respect"
3) Waunsila - "Compassion"
4) Wowicake - "Honesty"
5) Wawokiye - "Generosity"
6) Wahwala - "Humility"
7) Woksape - "Wisdom"

[IndigoErth]

Some of the original "commandments" of this great land. Thanks Hin, I wish our society would consider posting them, which don't pertain to any one religious denomination and likely what much of this continent was really 'raised' on.

[HinTamaheca]

Some of the original "commandments" of this great land. Thanks Hin, I wish our society would consider posting them, which don't pertain to any one religious denomination and likely what much of this continent was really 'raised' on.

I don't think posting commandments or virtues does very much good. It is only when the family unit puts into practice commandments or virtues in a way that is tangible and visable to others, that they become real and learned behavior which others begin to emulate.

[Anonymous]

A gentle reminder Indigo now and againg doesn't hurt and allows all us to recommit to the "right way" to live. Thanks Hin.

[Coyote]

this place is good, it teaches many good things, I like to read here.

[SweetFlower]

ty hin for the post i enjoyed reading that very much :)

[Wiconi Yuha Mani Win]

I was recently readinga book with some insight that dovetailed nicely with these virtues....

The general thought behind the authors words, were "Do you own your things or do they own you?"  the author indicated that you could 'check and see' by tryign to give it away - if you could give it away - then YOU owned it....if you can't IT owns you.....

Follows to Lakota generosity - If everyone is generous - then there are no "have nots"......I'ts when we have this "me first" and "look out for #1" mentality that things go to heII.  

All in all it was a good read.....I'll look up the citation if anyone wants it.....

[HinTamaheca]

:idea:

[Anonymous]

I too enjoyed reading those. Many thanks for posting them Hin Tamaheca  :) We try to live by those virtues and thus lead our children by example. My daughter is 13 (Guinivere on here) and she continues this way at school. Some of her friends are also learning by her example and as we live in the UK, this is very good because most of the children have no real virtues set down for them because they do not follow any particular path.

Many thanks again  :)

[tipifire]

You know I try very hard to live by those virtues it was taught to me long ago, but somehow virtues and work don't mix very well. Many business are cut throat and even between employees. I gets to me sometimes and I wonder why I even get caught up in it, But I find the virtues work because the owners trusts me to say what is and I apologize when I stray, to another employee. I try to stay away from the gossip since most of is bull and keep a clear head. If someone tells something I will ask around and sometimes find the real story. It would be nice see these virtues in a work place including with the owner...

[Ken]

I have seen a number of lists over the years of what are portrayed as Lakota "virtues", or sometimes portrayed as the Lakota "spiritual laws."

Pilamayayelo HinTamaheca!  Here is another version of the virtues to add.  This is from John Around Him:

In the Lakota tradition there are Four Cardinal Virtues that govern how we should conduct ourselves in daily life.  

1) Generosity
2) Fortitude
3) Respect
4) Bravery (Wisdom)

Generosity includes:
a) Generosity to widows
b) Generosity to orphans
c) Generosity to the sick
d) Generosity to the poor.

Fortitude is the virtue that governs the Lakota tradition, it includes these virtues:
a) Patience
b) calmness
c) Endurance in the face of hardship and suffering.

Men and Woman each have specific virtues that they should live by.

Men's Virtues:
1. He must be generous to his family and relatives.
2. He must help the woman raise the children patiently.
3. He must be courageous and protect the weak and helpless.
4. He must be religious and pray everyday in his life.
     
Woman's Virtues:
1. She must be a good mother to her children and the children of her relatives and friends.
2. She must be a good homemaker and be industrious.
3. She must be generous to all who come in need.
4. She must be religious and remember the loved ones who have passed on.

[Ken]

The following quotes are from the book "Land of the Spotted Eagle", by Luther Standing Bear (born 1868).

"But lessons in obedience were not the only ones to begin at an early age.  I was taught kindness to grandmother and all old people.  I saw my mother give frequently to them and I was allowed to give at the same time.  I learned truthfulness, respect for the rights of all people, order, and like virtues.  So each day, with a brightening mind, I learned by examples of kind action.  Just as the tiny roots of a plant silently absorbed the earth food, so my childish consciousness absorbed the influences which surrounded me, especially the silent, subtle influence of my mother."

"The way in which Lakota children were trained caused them to regard with admiration all those of wisdom and experience.  All yearned for wisdom and looked for experience."

"One lesson to learn was to be strong in will.  Little children were taught to give and to give generously.  A sparing giver was no giver at all.  Possessions were given away until the giver was poor in this world's goods and had nothing left but the delight and joy of pure strength.  It was a bounden duty to give to the needy and helpless."

"To become a great brave was, however, the highest aspiration.  At the same time it imposed upon the young man the greatest efforts.  Not only must he have great physical bravery and fighting prowness, but he must meet the severest tests of character.  The great brave was a man of strict honor, undoubted truthfulness, and unbounded generosity."