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The Oglala were native of the Teton (Lakota) tribes of the Sioux tribes. As such they adhered to the same idealisms as the greater Sioux nation. They understood there to be a Creator and many other forces to be revered. The Sioux were very sure that they could not (or should not) understand the gods. Instead they spent a majority of their worship in honoring "Wakan Tanka."

Wakan was a belief that everything in life (humans, animals, plants, rivers, oceans, lands, and the universe) were connected and one as a whole. It was believed that all life came from Mother Earth. This led to a strong sense of stewardship over animals and lands. Everything was considered family and sacred.

The concept of Wakan was symbolized by the circle. The circle represented the eternity and continuous flow of the universe. The Sioux also revered the number four. They believed the great Creator created everything in fours. For example... Time was split into day, night, lunar, and solar. Life was split into infanthood, childhood, adulthood, and old age. Seven was also a sacred number.

An important ideal is also that of "the song." The Sioux believed that each part of the universe hid a section of the song of creation. It was in the Black Hills that it was said one could hear the entire song of creation. The Black Hills also was the resting place for the souls of the dead.

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15y ago

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