The Time of the SeasonsThe Time of the SeasonsByBy

VictorVictor DouvilleDouville

Wetu

Blo

ket

u

Ptanyetu

Wan

iyet

u

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The Time of the SeasonsThe Time of the SeasonsBy

Victor Douville

Copyright © 2006 by Victor Douville Published by Sinte Gleska University

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The Importance of the Time of The Importance of the Time of the Seasonsthe Seasons

The change of seasons are noted by natural and supernatural phenomena observed on the land and the skies by the people; and when they occurred, then preparation for seasonal activities began.

All tribes paid close attention to these changes of the seasons and prepared for each. Those that did not prepare adequately paid the price when the extreme seasons came upon them. Thus the tribal groups used many methods for measuring time to prepare well.

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The Mixed Lakota-Wasicun The Mixed Lakota-Wasicun CalendarCalendar

January………………….Wiotehika Wi (Hardship Moon) February………..Cannapopa Wi (Popping Tree Moon) March…….Istawicayazan Wi (Snow Blindness Moon) April……..Maka Stuta Wi (Thawing of Ground Moon) May…………….Canwape To Wi (Green Leaves Moon) June……Wipazuntka Waste Wi (Berries Ripen Moon) July………Canpa Sapa Wi (Black Chokecherry Moon) August………………………Wasutun Wi (Harvest Moon) September…..Canwape Gi Wi (Brown Leaves Moon) October…Canwape Kasna Wi (Leaves Blown Off M.) November………………….Waniyetu Wi (Winter Moon) December………….Wanicokan Wi (Mid Winter Moon)

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Traditional Lakota Seasonal Traditional Lakota Seasonal CalendarCalendar WetuWetu consists of two months consists of two months-Magasica-Magasica AgliAgli WiWi

(ducks return moon) and (ducks return moon) and CanwapetonCanwapeton (tree (tree grows leaf moon) (April and May)grows leaf moon) (April and May)

BloketuBloketu consists of four months- consists of four months-TinpsilaTinpsila WiWi (turnips moon), (turnips moon), CanpaCanpa SapaSapa WiWi (blackened choke (blackened choke cherry moon), cherry moon), KantaKanta SaSa WiWi (red plum moon), and (red plum moon), and CanwapeCanwape GiGi WiWi (leaf turns yellow/brown moon) (leaf turns yellow/brown moon) (June, July, August and September)(June, July, August and September)

PtanyetuPtanyetu consists of two months consists of two months-Canwape-Canwape KasnaKasna WiWi (leaves shake off moon) and (leaves shake off moon) and WaniyetuWaniyetu WiWi (first snow fall moon) (October and (first snow fall moon) (October and November)November)

WaniyetuWaniyetu consists of five months consists of five months-Wanicokan-Wanicokan WiWi (midwinter moon), (midwinter moon), TehiTehi WiWi (hardship moon), (hardship moon), Wicat’aWicat’a WiWi (dead moon), (dead moon), IstaIsta WicayazanWicayazan WiWi (hurting eyes moon) and (hurting eyes moon) and TanisniTanisni WiWi (invisible (invisible moon) (December, January, February and March) moon) (December, January, February and March)

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The Diversity of Lakota The Diversity of Lakota CalendarsCalendars

The Lakota have no standard calendar that The Lakota have no standard calendar that all the tribe members embrace wholly. This all the tribe members embrace wholly. This is because the Lakota traveled far to the is because the Lakota traveled far to the extreme north (North Dakota) and to the extreme north (North Dakota) and to the extreme south (Smoky Hills, Kansas) and extreme south (Smoky Hills, Kansas) and from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains. from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains. This vast territory yielded diverse vegetation This vast territory yielded diverse vegetation and trees. Weather in this area was also and trees. Weather in this area was also diverse. Thus the Lakota viewed and diverse. Thus the Lakota viewed and experienced the diversity of the north and experienced the diversity of the north and southern plain and climate that impacted southern plain and climate that impacted what they viewed and experienced. From what they viewed and experienced. From this experience came various interpretations this experience came various interpretations of the seasonal calendars.of the seasonal calendars.

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Traditional Lakota MonthsTraditional Lakota Months A new moon or a black A new moon or a black

moon is called Wit’e moon is called Wit’e (moon dies)(moon dies)

Wit’e also designates a Wit’e also designates a monthmonth

The Lakota observe 13 The Lakota observe 13 new moons that make new moons that make up a yearup a year

There are 28 days+ There are 28 days+ that complete the that complete the phase of a new moonphase of a new moon

There are 364 + 1 day There are 364 + 1 day that complete a Lakota that complete a Lakota yearyear

13 New Moons make up one year

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Lakota Moon CalendarLakota Moon Calendar

1

2

3

4 5

6

7

8

9

1011

12

13

Canpa Sapa Wi

Kanta Sa Wi

Canpa Gi Wi

Canwape Kasna Wi

Waniyetu Wi

Wanicokan Wi

Tehi Wi

Wicat’a Wi or Wica Tawi

Ista Wicayazan Wi

Taninsni Wi

Magasica Wi

Canwapeton Wi

Tinpsila Wi

13 new moons make up a year- starting with spring (Magasica Wi), the new year

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Method of Time RecordingMethod of Time Recording

Time keeper cuts 13 Time keeper cuts 13 slashes on a shaft to slashes on a shaft to indicate how many indicate how many times a new moon times a new moon appeared per yearappeared per year

Each shaft Each shaft represent- ed one represent- ed one yearyear

The first slash was The first slash was the new year moon the new year moon when calving time when calving time occurred or when occurred or when the ground thawedthe ground thawed

A more elaborate record can have all of the 28 notches representing the days following each new moon slash.This method is eff- icient because it is calibrated with changes every year.

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Traditional vs Contemporary Traditional vs Contemporary Calendar SystemsCalendar Systems

1

234

56 7 8 91

0 11 1

213141516

1718

19

20

21

2223

24

25

26

27

28

Maka Stuta Wi (ground Thaw Moon)

sun mon tue wed thu fri sat1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30 31

January 2006

(The New Year)

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The SeasonsThe Seasons

Wetu (time of the sun)-Wetu (time of the sun)-SpringSpring

Bloketu (time of the bull) Bloketu (time of the bull) SummerSummer

Ptanyetu (time of decay)-Ptanyetu (time of decay)-FallFall

Waniyetu (time of seeing Waniyetu (time of seeing the breath) -Winterthe breath) -Winter

Wan

iyet

u

Blo

ketu

Wetu

Ptanyetu

Cycle of the Dipper

Wetu is from Wiyetu(time of the sun), Blokayetu(time of the male), Ptanyetu (time of spoiling or decaying) and Waniyetu (time of snow breath)

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Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: SpringNatural Signs: Spring

Warm weather Warm weather Thawing of snow Thawing of snow

and flooding in the and flooding in the low landslow lands

Vegetation and Vegetation and land- scape land- scape gradually turns gradually turns greengreen

Spring rains beginsSpring rains begins CalvingCalving

Pasque Flower blooms in early spring -a signal plant used in the Ghost Dance Millenium

Photos courtesy of V.Douville photo collections

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Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: SummerNatural Signs: Summer

Hot ClimateHot Climate Tornado seasonTornado season Blooming of most Blooming of most

vegetationvegetation Fattening of gameFattening of game Shedding of Shedding of

gaming animal gaming animal skinskinPhoto courtesy of V.

Douville photo collections

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Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: FallNatural Signs: Fall

Cold rainCold rain Weather turns coldWeather turns cold Change of Change of

vegetation color vegetation color from greenfrom green

Vegetation dies in Vegetation dies in late fall and land- late fall and land- scap e is barren scap e is barren

Animals gain thick Animals gain thick hidehide

Rutting seasonRutting seasonPhoto courtesy of V. Douville photo collections

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Seasonal Changes Through Seasonal Changes Through Natural Signs: WinterNatural Signs: Winter

Climate becomes Climate becomes harshharsh

Landscape, at Landscape, at times, becomes times, becomes covered with snow covered with snow and iceand ice

Large game Large game become scarcebecome scarce

The people go into The people go into winter quarterswinter quarters

Photo courtesy of V. Douville photo collections

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Seasonal Changes as Seen in Seasonal Changes as Seen in the Sky: Spring the Sky: Spring

Downward-Downward-horizon- tal horizon- tal appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper

The first point of The first point of Cansasa Ipusye Cansasa Ipusye appearsappears

The return of the The return of the geesegeesePleides/Wicincala

Sakowin (7 girls)

Cansasa Ipusye

1st point of Aries

Itkob U (flies toward)refers to the ducks

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Seasonal Changes as seen in Seasonal Changes as seen in the Sky: Summerthe Sky: Summer

Downward Downward vertical position vertical position of the Big Dipperof the Big Dipper

Ecliptic of sun Ecliptic of sun through Mato through Mato TipilaTipila

Rainy seasonRainy season Tornado seasonTornado season

Precession delays this for one month

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Seasonal Changes as Seen in Seasonal Changes as Seen in the Sky: Fallthe Sky: Fall

Face up-horizontal Face up-horizontal appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper

Appearance of Ta- Appearance of Ta- yamni constellationyamni constellation

The migration of The migration of the geese the geese southward in late southward in late fallfall

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Signs in the Sky Signaling Signs in the Sky Signaling Seasonal Change: WinterSeasonal Change: Winter

Updward-vertical Updward-vertical appearance of the appearance of the Big DipperBig Dipper

The brighter appear-The brighter appear-ance of Cansasa Ipus- ance of Cansasa Ipus- ye, Tayamni, Pleides, ye, Tayamni, Pleides, and Mato Tipila con- and Mato Tipila con- stellationsstellations

The ecliptic of the full The ecliptic of the full moon into the sacred moon into the sacred hoop constellationhoop constellation

Full Moon Enters the Hoop

Precession delays this until next month

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Seasonal Activities: SpringSeasonal Activities: Spring Repairing of the tipisRepairing of the tipis Spring hunts are Spring hunts are

organized and exe- organized and exe- cuted-the Tatecuted-the Tate

Movements of the Movements of the camps to higher camps to higher ground to preserve ground to preserve the tipithe tipi

Harvesting of spring Harvesting of spring floraflora

Tinpsila photo courtesy of Paintings from Simon & Schuster, illustrated by Ian Thompson

Courtesy of Paintings from Simon & Schuster books, illustrated by Ian Thompson

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Seasonal Activities: SummerSeasonal Activities: Summer

Gathering of fruits, Gathering of fruits, vegetables, medici- vegetables, medici- nal and plant dyesnal and plant dyes

Social and hunting Social and hunting gatherings for court-gatherings for court-ing, marriage, and ing, marriage, and for smaller hunts for smaller hunts preceding the an-preceding the an-nual large fall huntnual large fall hunt

Lichens

Plums

Choke Cherries

June Berry

Plant photos courtesy of Sarah Wolfe

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Seasonal Activities: FallSeasonal Activities: Fall

Prepare to establish Prepare to establish winter campswinter camps

Harvest cattail fluff for Harvest cattail fluff for diapersdiapers

Harvest Omnica Ta Harvest Omnica Ta Maka (ground bean)Maka (ground bean)

The Wanasapi-the The Wanasapi-the great tribal hunt is great tribal hunt is conductedconducted

Trade hide and meat Trade hide and meat for corn, beans, sun- for corn, beans, sun- flowers, squash and flowers, squash and tobaccotobacco

Blazing Star- a signal plant

Courtesy of V. Douville photo collections

Ground BeansCattail Fluff

Plant photos Courtesy of Sarah Wolfe

Karl Bodmer painting

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Fall Hunt Yields Food for Winter

American Bison, Female

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Seasonal Activities: WinterSeasonal Activities: Winter Settle into winter Settle into winter

quartersquarters Tate (family hunting) Tate (family hunting)

is undertakenis undertaken Dancing, games, Dancing, games,

feasts and ceremonial feasts and ceremonial rites are donerites are done

Courting/marriages Courting/marriages take placetake place

Winter counts are Winter counts are drawn up and story drawn up and story telling takes placetelling takes place

Lodge poles, cansasa Lodge poles, cansasa (tobacco mix) buffalo (tobacco mix) buffalo berries, grapes and berries, grapes and rose hips are rose hips are harvestedharvested

Paintings courtesy of The Plains Indians? Simon & Schuster Books

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Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: SpringSpring

Preparing the tobacco Preparing the tobacco mix and pipe for the mix and pipe for the spring ceremoniesspring ceremonies

Welcoming back the Welcoming back the thundersthunders

Welcoming back all Welcoming back all life in peacelife in peace

Ritual observance of Ritual observance of vernal equinox-the vernal equinox-the battle of day over battle of day over nightnight

OCCUPIES 50 DEGREES OF SPACE

THE PRECESSION OF THE EQUINOXES (1 DEGREE REVERSAL MOVE OF THE STARS EVERY 72 Y EARS) CAUSES POSITION OF SUN TO BE HERE

POSITION OF SUN 1616 BC (1984) AT SPRING (50x72 Y RS)

HELIACAL RISE OF CANSASA IPUSY E SIGNALS SPRING TIME AND THE CAMPS PREPARE FOR THE SPRING RITES TO BE PERFORMED AT HARNEY PEAK

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Spring Equinox

Red Race Track

1st point of Aries

Big Dipper Cansasa

Ipusye

(Kiiyanka Ocanku Sa)

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Sun DanceSun Dance Name GivingName Giving Ear Piercing Ear Piercing Social DancesSocial Dances Sweat Sweat

CeremoniesCeremonies Ritual observance Ritual observance

of summer of summer solstice -the sway solstice -the sway of day over nightof day over night

Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: SummerSummer

Courtesy of V. Douville drawing collections

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Seasonal Ceremonies: FallSeasonal Ceremonies: Fall

Buffalo Dreamers Buffalo Dreamers rites & Elk Dream- rites & Elk Dream- ers rites at about ers rites at about the same time of the same time of the large tribal the large tribal gather- ing for the gather- ing for the fall huntfall hunt

Autumnal Equinox Autumnal Equinox observance-the observance-the ritual observance ritual observance of the battle of of the battle of night over daynight over day

Anpetu

Darkness gains strength

Hanhepi

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Seasonal Ceremonies: Seasonal Ceremonies: WinterWinter

Winter solstice observ- Winter solstice observ- anceance

It is the time when the It is the time when the Waziyata, north cardinal Waziyata, north cardinal direction, brings cold direction, brings cold weatherweather

It is the time when It is the time when Hanwi, diety of Hanwi, diety of darkness, prevails over darkness, prevails over Anpetu, day- people pay Anpetu, day- people pay homage to Waziyata homage to Waziyata and Hanhepiand Hanhepi

Lakota go into winter-Lakota go into winter-quarters where limited quarters where limited ritual activities occur ritual activities occur

Hanhepi

Anpetu

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The Shifting SeasonsThe Shifting Seasons

The seasons came in cycles in a seemingly endless passage of time that was measured by generations; and these generations were set in groups of four and seven to break the seasonal monotony or stalemate in order to bring in appropriate changes based on lifestyle alterations. Moreover, these changes were generally gradual.

The time of the seasons was truly a great under-taking that each tribal group looked forward to accomplish every year.

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HeceglaHeceglaHecegla