Description: During the winter of 1947, Black Elk, the Oglala Sioux holy man, related to Joseph Brown seven of the sacred Oglala traditions, including such revered rites as "The Keeping of the Soul", "The Rite of Purification", and "Preparing for Womanhood". The San Francisco Chronicle calls The Sacred Pipe "a valuable contribution to American Indian literature".
Brief description:
Joseph Epes Brown (1920-2000) was an American scholar whose lifelong dedication to Native American traditions helped bring the study of American Indian religious traditions into higher education. His book, The Sacred Pipe, is an account of his discussions with the Lakota holy man, Black Elk. "I traveled among many of the prairie Indians," Brown said, "and after meeting the old Sioux priest Black Elk, I was asked by him to record the account he should give me of his ancient religion. This volume I really consider to be his work and his contribution to the Sioux."
Review Quotes: "Mr. Brown brought to his task genuine respect for the vanishing culture of the Sioux and for the values of their religious system."--Library Journal