Cosmology and Moral Community in the Lakota Sun Dance: Reconceptualizing J. R. Walker's Account

This book explores how the Sun Dance communal ritual complex creates moral community, providing insights into Lakota cosmology and worldview. It argues that the Sun Dance constitutes a cosmic ethical drama in which persons of all types come together in reciprocal actions and relationships.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of the Lakota Sun Dance, employing Indigenous methodologies to explore its profound significance. Through a meticulous analysis of James R. Walkers 1917 monograph on this revered communal ritual complex, the author unravels the ways in which the Sun Dance fosters moral community, offering invaluable insights into the cosmology and worldview of Lakota tradition.

By employing Walkers primary source as a lens through which to interpret the Sun Dance, the author conducts a reading of the ritual in its nineteenth-century context, drawing upon Lakota metaphysics, cosmology, ontology, and ethics. The author argues that the Sun Dance constitutes a cosmic ethical drama, where individuals of all types, both human and nonhuman, come together in reciprocal actions and relationships. This dynamic interplay serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of all beings in the universe.

In order to enhance our understanding of the Sun Dance, the author incorporates contemporary animist theory and adopts a perspectivist approach that leverages Lakota worldview assumptions as the foundation for analysis. This approach allows for a richer and more nuanced understanding of the ritual, shedding light on its role within the Lakota moral world.

What sets this book apart is its commitment to centering Lakota views of the sacred. By delving into the cultural and spiritual significance of the Sun Dance, the author provides a nuanced understanding that resonates with scholars of religion and animism, as well as those with an interest in Native American cultures and lifeways. This book serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of this remarkable cultural tradition.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367748807