Sioux Ordeal of Sun
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Sioux Ordeal of Sun
NATIVE AMERICANS The Sioux ordeal of looking at the sun, while hanging from strips of flesh which are gradually pulled away
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Media ID 4327839
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10063158
1830 Flesh Gradually Hanging Initiation Ordeal Pulled Sioux Strips
EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image captures the Sioux Ordeal of the Sun, an initiation rite of the Sioux tribe that was practiced in the early 19th century. The photograph, believed to have been taken around 1830, depicts a Native American man enduring the ordeal, with his body suspended from strips of flesh that are being gradually pulled away. The Sioux Ordeal was a rite of passage for young men, intended to test their courage and endurance. The initiates would voluntarily have their flesh cut and suspended from a pole, with the strips attached to their backs. The ordeal would last for several hours, with the initiates remaining in a trance-like state, staring at the sun without blinking. The exact origins of the Sioux Ordeal are unclear, but it is believed to have been influenced by both Native American and European traditions. Some historians suggest that the practice may have been inspired by European forms of self-mutilation, such as the Flagellants of the Middle Ages. Others believe that the ordeal may have had deeper spiritual significance for the Sioux people. Despite its historical significance, the Sioux Ordeal is a controversial practice that raises ethical questions about the nature of human endurance and the role of initiation rites in Native American culture. Some argue that the ordeal was a way for young men to prove their bravery and earn the respect of their community, while others see it as a form of self-harm that inflicted unnecessary pain and suffering. Regardless of one's perspective, this photograph offers a powerful reminder of the rich and complex history of the Sioux people and the unique customs and traditions that have shaped their identity as a community. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit, as well as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the diversity of human cultures and beliefs.
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