Preparing for the Sun Dance by western artist Howard Terpning

Preparing for the Sun Dance by Howard Terpning.

 

With the notable exception of the Comanche, nearly all plains tribes placed exceptional importance in the annual Sun Dance, which stressed penance and in most cases self-torture by young warriors to demonstrate their bravery and ability to withstand pain. Among the Blood people of the Blackfeet, presented here, the youth's body was painted with white clay, and sage wreaths were affixed to head, wrists and ankles. Elders would cut incisions in the initiate's breasts, then insert skewers of elderberry wood to which were attached rawhide ropes, firmly tied at the other end to a center pole upon which might rest the head or skull of a buffalo. After prayer the young man was expected to dance against the rope until the skewers tore loose from his flesh. The scars remained the rest of his life, attesting to his courage. (The Art of Howard Terpning - Elmer Kelton).

 

Print released 1987.