Sacred Pipe

ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

A note from the artist:

An important possession of the Plains Indians was the sacred pipe, sometimes owned by an elder and occasionally by the entire tribe. A warrior who will lead a hunt or war party offers his pipe to braves who accept his leadership. Specific rituals for ceremonies depended on the tribe, but if not followed properly could often lead to tragic consequences. For example, a pipe would be passed to the left only, after a lighting stick was used to ignite it for an elder. Red willow bark, leaves of wild rose, dogwood, and tobacco root, as well as white man’s tobacco were used for smoking.