The Mandan Tribe

The Mandan’s of the Great Plains Region The Mandan Indians were a tribe living among other Indians within the Great Plains region. The Great Plains is basically the central area in North American. The Great Plains region consists of various states like Iowa, the Dakotas, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Missouri. It ranges from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The general region of the Great Plains has a geography typically described as “miles and miles of flat land and gently rolling hills. Tall green grasses move slowly in the breeze” (Boehm, 2000, p. 86). The Great Plains region typically has low rain fall (less than twenty inches a year) which results in lush grass, but scarce trees. This region typically experiences harsh, cold winters and warm summers (Boehm, 2000).
The Mandan’s …show more content…
One of the ceremonies that took place was a buffalo dance. The buffalo dance was done prior to the great buffalo hunt and was done to ensure that the buffalo would be plentiful and close to their reservation. The Mandan went on a buffalo hunt twice a year. Everyone within the tribe (men, women, and children) took part in the great buffalo hunt. During this time, they walked for several days along the grassy plans and stayed in teepees (Lepthien, 1989).
The Okipa was a ceremony that took place over four days following the Buffalo hunt. This ceremony was for younger men to test their endurance (Lepthien, 1989). During the four day period, the young boys would fast and sacrifice themselves in order to unify the Mandan’s, be accepted as warriors, and find their place in the tribe. The ceremony consisted of various torturous and self-torturous actions. During the time of their fasting, the young men would get images from animal spirits that they reported to their elders, and their images would determine their role in the village. After this event, they would become warriors and men (Encyclopedia of,