![]() The Cheyenne camped and hunted at Bear's Lodge in the winter and consider it a holy place. The Cheyenne call Devils Tower "Bear's Lodge," "Bear's House," "Bear's Tipi," and "Bear Peak." 1 Sherman Sage, an Arapahoe, said that his grandfather, Drying-Up-Hide, was buried near the Tower. You can read some of these oral histories on our park website.Īrapahoes call Devils Tower "Bear's Tipi." 1 Many of the tribes below have a sacred narrative, or oral history, about the creation of the Tower. ![]() This photo shows the set up of a site from the 1980s. The Sun Dance ceremony is often held at the park, although not every year. Although western religions have their important places, they do not hold the level of sacredness associated with the important places of American Indian religions. Instead of a focus of chronological events and the order in which they are presented, American Indian religion focuses on a place and the significant events that are connected with that location. ![]() It is important to note a key difference between American Indian religions and many other contemporary religions (referred to as "western" or "near eastern" religions): a sense of place dominates the religion of American Indians, as opposed to the sense of time that dominates many western religions. Please do not touch, disturb or remove prayer cloths or other religious artifacts at the park. As with many religious ceremonies, they are a private to the individual or group. They are similar to ceremonial objects from other religions, and may represent a person making an offering, a request, or simply in remembrance of a person or place. Colorful cloths or bundles are placed near the Tower - commonly seen along the park's trails - and represent a personal connection to the site. 1 The most common ritual that takes place at the Tower are prayer offerings. Sweat lodges, sun dances, and others are still practiced at the monument today. Modern connections are maintained through personal and group ceremonies. ![]() Today there are several sources one can reference to read the various oral histories. They detail peoples' relationships with the natural world, and establish those relationships through literal and symbolic language. Oral histories and sacred narratives explain not only the creation of the Tower, but also its significance to American Indians. The connections which tie American Indian culture to the place known as Devils Tower are both ancient and modern. Ceremonies may occur at the Tower any time of the year, and are not always visible to visitors. ![]()
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