The Story of the Peace Pipe
The story of the Peace Pipe is deeply interwoven with the spiritual and cultural fabric of numerous Native American tribes, particularly those of the Great Plains. More than just a smoking device, the Peace Pipe, also known as the Sacred Pipe or Calumet, represents a profound connection to the Great Spirit, the Earth, and all living beings. This article explores the significance of the Peace Pipe through traditional narratives and historical accounts, offering a glimpse into its sacred role in fostering peace, unity, and spiritual understanding.
The Power of Oral Tradition
Many Native American cultures rely heavily on oral tradition to transmit their history, beliefs, and values across generations. These stories, often imbued with symbolism and spiritual significance, serve as both entertainment and instruction. The following narrative, collected by Marie L. McLaughlin, offers insight into the origins and purpose of the Peace Pipe, revealing its divine origins and the responsibilities associated with its use. This story of the Peace Pipe reflects the values held by the Dakota Sioux people.
The Gift of the Sacred Pipe
One evening, as two young men strolled through the plains, their conversation turned to matters of the heart. As they rounded a small hill and entered a ravine, they were met with an extraordinary sight: a beautiful woman, adorned in the finest attire and vibrant paint, emerged before them.
"What a beautiful girl!" exclaimed one of the young men, captivated by her appearance. "Already I love her. I will steal her and make her my wife."
His companion, however, cautioned against such rash action. "No," he replied, "Don’t harm her. She may be holy."
As the woman approached, she held out a pipe, offering it first to the sky, then to the earth, before extending it towards the young men. "I know what you young men have been saying; one of you is good; the other is wicked," she declared, revealing her spiritual awareness.
She then placed the pipe on the ground and transformed into a buffalo cow. The cow pawed at the earth, raised its tail, and then, using its hooves, lifted the pipe once more. In an instant, the buffalo cow reverted to the form of the beautiful woman.
"I am come to give you this gift," she announced. "It is the Peace Pipe. Hereafter all treaties and ceremonies shall be performed after smoking it. It shall bring peaceful thoughts into your minds. You shall offer it to the Great Mystery and to mother earth."
The young men, awestruck by this encounter, rushed back to their village to share their experience. The entire community gathered to witness the woman’s divine presence.
She repeated her message, emphasizing the importance of the Peace Pipe in fostering harmony and connection. She also imparted a specific instruction: "When you set free the ghost (the spirit of deceased persons), you must have a white buffalo cow skin."
With these words, she entrusted the Peace Pipe to the medicine men of the village, transformed once more into a buffalo cow, and vanished into the vast plains, returning to the land of the buffaloes. This story of the Peace Pipe is of great importance to the tribes.
The Symbolism of the Peace Pipe
The Peace Pipe itself is rich in symbolism. The pipe’s stem, typically made of wood, represents the Tree of Life, connecting the earthly realm with the spiritual world. The bowl, often crafted from red pipestone (catlinite), symbolizes the heart and the interconnectedness of all beings. The smoke, rising towards the sky, carries prayers and intentions to the Great Spirit.
The act of smoking the Peace Pipe is a sacred ritual, performed with reverence and intention. It is a way to communicate with the divine, to seek guidance, and to strengthen bonds between individuals and communities. The smoke symbolizes truth, honesty, and the binding nature of agreements made during the ceremony. In the story of the Peace Pipe, it symbolizes the divine presence.
Standing Rock: A Legacy of Resilience
Another poignant story, associated with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, illustrates the enduring power of belief and the connection to ancestral lands. This narrative, also collected by Marie L. McLaughlin, speaks of a woman’s unwavering devotion and the transformation that cemented her place in tribal history.
A Dakota man had married an Arikara woman, and they had a child together. Later, he took another wife, causing jealousy and resentment in the first wife. When the time came for the village to move camp, she refused to leave her place on the tent floor. The tent was taken down, but she remained seated on the ground with her baby on her back, defying the departure of the rest of the camp and her husband.
Concerned for her well-being, the husband halted the procession at noon. "Go back to your sister-in-law," he instructed his two brothers. "Tell her to come on, and we will await you here. But hasten, for I fear she may grow desperate and kill herself."
The two brothers rode back and arrived at the former campsite in the evening. The woman remained seated on the ground, unyielding. The elder brother spoke, "Sister-in-law, get up. We have come for you. The camp awaits you."
She did not respond. When he reached out and touched her head, he discovered that she had turned to stone!
The brothers returned to camp, recounting their unbelievable experience. Their story was met with disbelief. "The woman has killed herself, and my brothers will not tell me," the husband lamented. Nevertheless, the entire village returned to the site where they had left the woman. To their astonishment, they found her still sitting there, a solid block of stone.
The people were profoundly moved by this sight. They chose a handsome pony, crafted a new travois (a type of sled), and carefully placed the stone in the carrying net. Both the pony and travois were adorned with vibrant paint and decorations. The stone was considered "wakan" (holy) and was given a place of honor in the center of the camp. Whenever the camp moved, the stone and travois were taken along.
For years, the stone woman was carried with the tribe, eventually brought to the Standing Rock Agency, and now rests upon a brick pedestal in front of the Agency office. The Standing Rock Agency derives its name from this stone, a testament to the enduring legacy of the woman’s sacrifice and the power of the sacred. The story of the Peace Pipe and this legend share the sacredness of the tribal artifacts.
The Significance of Marie L. McLaughlin
These stories were meticulously recorded by Marie L. McLaughlin, a woman of Sioux descent who dedicated her life to preserving the cultural heritage of her people. Her book, Myths and Legends of the Sioux, published in 1916, offers a valuable window into the traditions, beliefs, and values of the Sioux Nation.
McLaughlin’s unique perspective, born from her upbringing within the Indian community and her fluency in the Sioux language, allowed her to gain the trust of elders and access to stories that might otherwise have been lost. Her work serves as a testament to the importance of cultural preservation and the power of storytelling in maintaining cultural identity.
A Continuing Legacy
The Peace Pipe continues to hold deep significance for many Native American communities today. It is used in ceremonies, prayer meetings, and gatherings to promote healing, reconciliation, and spiritual connection. The story of the Peace Pipe serves as a reminder of the importance of respect, honesty, and the pursuit of peace. The tradition of the Peace Pipe, along with stories like the legend of Standing Rock, serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, wisdom, and enduring spirit of Native American cultures. These narratives, passed down through generations, offer invaluable lessons about respect for the earth, the importance of community, and the pursuit of harmony with all living things.