White Buffalo Calf Woman

White Buffalo Calf Woman (Lakota: Pte San Win), a sacred woman of supernatural origin is treated as a prophet or a messiah and is central to the Lakota religion. Oral traditions relate that she brought the extended Lakota nation of the Teton Sioux their "Seven Sacred Rituals".

The traditional story is that, long ago, there was a time of famine. The chief of the Lakotas sent out two scouts to hunt for food. As the scouts travelled they saw a figure in the distance. As they approached they saw that it was a beautiful young woman in white clothing.

One of the scouts was filled with desire for the woman. He approached her, telling his companion he would attempt to embrace the woman, and if he found her pleasing, he would claim her as a wife.

His companion warned him that she appeared to be a sacred woman, and to do anything sacrilegious would be folly. The scout ignored his advice.

The companion watched as the scout approached and embraced the woman, during which time a white cloud enveloped the pair. After a while, the cloud disappeared and only the mysterious woman remained.

The remaining scout was frightened, and began to draw his bow, but the woman beckoned him forward, telling him that no harm would come to him.

As the woman was fluent in Lakota, the young man decided she was one of his tribe, and came forward. When he arrived, she pointed to a spot on the ground where the other scout's bare bones lay. She explained that the Crazy Buffalo had compelled the man to desire her, and she had annihilated him.

The scout became even more frightened and again menaced her with his bow.

At this time, the woman explained that she was Wakan and his weapons could not harm her. She further explained that if he did as she instructed, no harm would befall him and that his tribe would become more prosperous.

The scout promised to do what she instructed, and was told to return to his encampment, call the Council and prepare a feast for her arrival.

The woman's name was "Ptesan­Wi" which translated "White Buffalo Calf Woman". She taught the Lakotas many sacred rituals and gave them the chununpa or sacred pipe which is the holiest of all worship symbols. After teaching the people and giving them her gifts, "PtesanWi" left them promising to return.

Later, the story became attributed to the goddess Wohpe, also know as Whope, or Wope.

When Roman Catholic missionaries first came among the Lakota, their stories of the Virgin Mary and Jesus became associated with the legend of "White Buffalo Calf Woman". The syncretic practice of identifying Mary with "PtesanWi" and Jesus with the "chununpa" continues among Lakota Christians to this day.

The story of "PtesanWi" is associated with the white buffalo.

References

*Walker, James R.: Lakota Belief and Ritual (University of Nebraska Press, 1980, ISBN 0803225512 ; Bison Books, 1991 ISBN 0-8032-9731-9)
*Powers, William K.: Ogalala Religion (University of Nebraska Press, 1975,1977; ISBN 0-8032-8706-2)
*Neihardt, John G. : The Sixth Grandfather (University of Nebraska Press, 1984; ISBN 0-8032-6564-6
*Little Eagle, Lionel: Greengrass Pipe Dancers (Naturegraph Publishers, 2000, ISBN 0879612509)