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The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (Volume 36) (The Civilization of the American Indian Series) Paperback – Illustrated, October 15, 1989

by Black Elk (Author), Joseph Epes Brown (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 342 ratings
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Black Elk of the Sioux has been recognized as one of the truly remarkable men of his time in the matter of religious belief and practice. Shortly before his death in August, 1950, when he was the "keeper of the sacred pipe," he said, "It is my prayer that, through our sacred pipe, and through this book in which I shall explain what our pipe really is, peace may come to those peoples who can understand, and understanding which must be of the heart and not of the head alone. Then they will realize that we Indians know the One true God, and that we pray to Him continually."

Black Elk was the only qualified priest of the older Oglala Sioux still living when The Sacred Pipe was written. This is his book: he gave it orally to Joseph Epes Brown during the latter's eight month's residence on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, where Black Elk lived. Beginning with the story of White Buffalo Cow Woman's first visit to the Sioux to give them the sacred pip~, Black Elk describes and discusses the details and meanings of the seven rites, which were disclosed, one by one, to the Sioux through visions. He takes the reader through the sun dance, the purification rite, the "keeping of the soul," and other rites, showing how the Sioux have come to terms with God and nature and their fellow men through a rare spirit of sacrifice and determination.

The wakan Mysteries of the Siouan peoples have been a subject of interest and study by explorers and scholars from the period of earliest contact between whites and Indians in North America, but Black Elk's account is without doubt the most highly developed on this religion and cosmography. The Sacred Pipe, published as volume thirty-six in the Civilization of the American Indian Series, will be greeted enthusiastically by students of comparative religion, ethnologists, historians, philosophers, and everyone interested in American Indian life.

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  1. Part of series
    The Civilization of the American Indian Series
  2. Print length
    143 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    University of Oklahoma Press
  5. Publication date
    October 15, 1989
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0806121246
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0806121246
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a faithful transcription by Mr. Brown of the words of Black Elk, the last of the Sioux holy men to know his tribe's religious rites, together with their history and significance...Mr. Brown lived with Black Elk on the reservation, and the holy man, in order to preserve the Siouan rites both for the whites and for his own people, told him all he knew of the rites." ―Saturday Review

“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

"His admiration for Black Elk and his people is obvious . . . He has done a fine job producing a book that is a valuable contribution to American Indian literature." ―San Francisco Chronicle

About the Author

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."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Oklahoma Press; Later Printing edition (October 15, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 143 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0806121246
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0806121246
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 342 ratings

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  1. Joseph Epes Brown

    Joseph Epes Brown

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    JOSEPH EPES BROWN was Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Montana and a renowned author in the fields of American Indian traditions and World Religions.

    Brown was one of the founders of Native American Studies and was largely responsible for bringing the study of these religious traditions into American higher education. A vital interest in the traditional life ways of the American Indians led him to the Lakota holy man Black Elk. He lived with Black Elk and his family on the Pine Ridge Reservation for several years, during which time Black Elk adopted him as a son. He was given the Sioux name Chanumpa Yuha Mani or "He Who Walks with the Sacred Pipe". During that time he recorded Black Elk's account of the seven rites of the Oglala Sioux, later published as the well-known book The Sacred Pipe, an enduring and seminal record of Plains Indian religious expression, still in print today and translated into eight languages.

    The author of numerous books and articles, Joseph Brown passed away in 2000, at the age of 80.

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    Joseph Epes Brown

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
342 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Crystal
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you for preserving these sacred rites
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2011
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This book isn't long, but it is another of the Black Elk books that I love. John Neidhardt writes in  Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition  that Black Elk was waiting outside his home and appeared to be waiting for him. Joseph Epes Brown had read Black Elk Speaks and wanted to meet Black Elk and write about Lakota sacred rituals. Neidhardt told him Black Elk would not speak to him, but JEB went anyway. Black Elk was expecting him and collaboration was born to preserve what Black Elk wanted preserved. To any that feel Black Elk was exploited by the white man, I say he knew exactly what he was doing. Black Elk wanted to preserve his visions and thus Black Elk Speaks was born. Then he wanted to preserve these sacred rites for his pepole and thus this book was born and dedicated to his people the Sioux. Those who have touched shamanism and the spiritual know the truth of such things. If you have read about ancient spiritual practices, you will recognize common threads with other spiritual/shamanic traditions. JEB recounts he met Black Elk in 1947, three years before he passed. Black Elk's son Benjamin helped to translate for the book so again I reiterate as with Black Elk Speaks I doubt there could be much misstep in the translation of Black Elk's words.

The story of the gift of the sacred pipe is told, ancestor or spirit respect/worship, the sweat lodge rite of purification, lamentation or crying for a vision, sun dance, preparing a girl for womanhood, playing ball, and the making of relatives. I love the little details in the book such as what items they used for the ceremonies, prayers and chants, stories related to the rites, drawings, and historical photos. In the making of relatives chapter, Black Elk puts forth the agenda of peace and love between all men "even if they should be of another nation than ours." The chapter ends with "But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace, as I have said often said, is within the souls of men." After reading this book, I felt more keenly our sacred connection to all things and the Great Spirit in all things.
16 people found this helpful
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Happy Gal
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2013
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This book is absolutely awesome and is a MUST for any library of Native American spirituality. Black Elk not only walks the reader through every specific step of each Rite, but also provides the emotional/spiritual essence of each. You can read this and SEE each phase, see the smoke rising, feel the heat of the steam from the sweat lodge stones, feel the spirits present, see the faces of the participants or of the "lamenter" seeking the vision quest.

I wish I had owned this book when my father passed. The "Keeping of the Soul" ceremony would have really eased my grief and made it easier to deal with the loss. The Native Americans truly had a deep understanding of the concept that life is not a line, it's a circle. The emphasis on the medicine wheel of birth, life, aging, death, and rebirth is at such a gut level that it's both easy and comforting to understand.

LOVED this book, DEFINITELY a keeper.
21 people found this helpful
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Bruce W Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars A Sound Foundation
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2014
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I was a bit cautious after reading "Black Elk Speaks". Nor was I encouraged after finding as many modern "Medicine Man" practitioners on the INTERNET. Fact is, though, I was wonderfully surprised to find the detail and disclosure that I did. I wouldn't characterize this as a "how-to" book, there is enough detail concerning the five primary rituals to allow a person who is not a Native American to appreciate both each activity and its underlying beliefs. Most importantly to me, I feel that I can at least participate in a discussion about the nature of these practices with confidence.
3 people found this helpful
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Sacredfire
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the Cemermonial Rites of the Oglala Sioux
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2013
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Are you interested in native American history, culture or spiritual ideology? If so, this is a great book to invest in. Joseph Epes Brown gives great information about how the rituals were developed and their meaning. He also tells how to do them, and why. I have taken a class in Sioux ceremony in the past, but the explanations and information in this book far exceeded my class. I am still reading the book, so cannot give an overall summary, but the chapters I have read have been both very interesting and very informative,
2 people found this helpful
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Larryz
4.0 out of 5 stars A short sample of what to expect in the Black Elk Speaks book...
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2013
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This is a short read and a small book. It's kind of a follow up to Black Elk Speaks and shares the sacred pipe ceremonies of the Lakota. It has a few pictures to include the the old chiefs and is well worth having in a collection. The information is no doubt real...
2 people found this helpful
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BioBatman
5.0 out of 5 stars Peace Like a River Flows from Those Who Once Practiced These Sacred Rituals
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2017
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Really succinct and beautiful recitation of the Oglala Sioux sacred rituals as told by the tribe's last, great medicine man, the mystic, Black Elk. A must-read for any student of comparative religion and anyone who wishes to understand the zeitgeist of a people who once walked with G_d at all times in their every day lives. Would that The Sacred Hoop had not been broken! We should all have been blessed to have been born into it.
5 people found this helpful
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Robin F.
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn if you wish.....
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016
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This is for those who have a keen interest in Native Ways of honoring all that is. If you have no real interest in their ways this will not likely suit you. For those who have a taste for understanding a connection to our own existence and all that is natural and have had some interaction with the old ones and their ways of honoring the earth and all she gives us....this is for you. I am Tsalagi...Cherokee and there are many lessons here....
14 people found this helpful
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Stephanie E. Horn
5.0 out of 5 stars Two books that are great,
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2016
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These two books are classic history. I am a Pipe Carrier and a friend gave me the book years ago, and it was lost in a fire. I was glad to get it again along with the last interview with Black Elk. I spoke to his successor, Crow Dog, and learned so much more. Being Cherokee just means we branched off the original Iroquois Nation , but share many teachings with other Tribal Nations.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ernie cardinal1
5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource
Reviewed in Canada on July 16, 2023
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Owned this book long ago. Great knowledge of indigenous culture in this book. I am making two sacred pipes right now so I ordered this book again to help me complete the pipes
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This book enlightens and should be a guide for all ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2017
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This book enlightens and should be a guide for all of us to be thankful for all that we receive from God. They may do things in a different way But we all should respect There ways and remember that one made all.
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Victoria L'Hirondelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Service
Reviewed in Canada on April 13, 2021
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Great service! Received this book within a few days. Happiness is a new BOOK
One person found this helpful
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heather charnley
5.0 out of 5 stars the Sacred Pipe of Black Elk
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2016
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This is an excellent book talking about the sacred visions of Black Elk, and the resultant gifts that his visions would give to his people. Well worth reading if you want to know about what practical inspiration shamans can give to their community.
One person found this helpful
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ROB CAMERON
5.0 out of 5 stars Great price
Reviewed in Canada on July 20, 2021
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Exactly what I needed
One person found this helpful
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