VISION QUEST The vision quest is conducted by a tribe's elder (medicine man/woman). It is performed to help a person harness their spiritual power for success in hunting, warfare, curing illness, etc. Today it is used for the same purpose, but often directed towards modern pursuits.
Before the vision quest, the participant must undergo spiritual and physical purification in the SWEAT LODGE. The sweat lodge is a hut made of 9 saplings and covered in animal skins or blankets making it air tight. Heated stones are then placed in the middle of the hut and water is sprinkled on them (sauna). The intense heat leads to profuse sweating which brings about the spiritual and physical cleansing.
After the sweat lodge, the participant leaves the camp alone, usually to high ground (hill, mountain) and endures the elements for a set number of days (tribes elders decides) with little food or water. Usually near the end of the quest it is hoped a vision will be seen sometimes with a message. The participant then returns to the camp to have the tribe elder interpret their vision. In some cases a GUARDIAN SPIRIT comes to the participant. This spirit is said to stay with the person forever to protect and instruct.
Many people dismiss the vision quest saying that it is no vision at all, but hallucinations from lack of food and water.
SUN DANCE The Sun Dance is held at the beginning of summer. It is a celebration of the new year and in the past was a way to prepare for the buffalo hunt.
A sacred leader presides over the ceremony. A lodge is constructed around a *cottonwood tree* that has been cut down and placed in a chosen spot. The chosen spot is considered to be the centre of the universe, called the AXIS MUNDI. It is the link between heaven and earth. They dance facing the sun in thanks for its life giving powers.
Some of the dancers skewer their chests and attach themselves with leather straps to the tree. They dance away from the tree until their flesh tears. Many natives believe that their bodies are the only things they truly own, so self mutilation is the only suitable sacrifice to the Creator.
It was once outlawed in the USA because they felt it was too barbaric. It is now legal again.