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role in American Indian culture

In Native American dance: Mexico and Mesoamerica
The rutuburi is the typical ritual dance of the northern Mexican Tarahumara for three agricultural festivals—rain, green corn, and harvest—and for death and memorial rites. After triple invocations by a shaman, the women cross the dance space six times, then circle counterclockwise, holding hands and leaping…
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wakan

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wakan

religious concept

Also known as: wakanda, wakonda

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Also called:: Wakonda, orWakanda

Related Topics:: Native American religions; mana

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wakan, among various American Indian groups, a great spiritual power of supernatural origin belonging to some natural objects. Wakan may be conceived of as a weak or strong power; the weak powers can be ignored, but the strong ones must be placated. Poisonous plants and reptiles can contain wakan, as can intoxicating drinks. Wakan beings are the immortal supernatural powers who bestow wakan; they too may be weak or strong, but all are believed to enjoy music and pipe smoke. Wakan has no essential characteristics in itself; rather, it is a kind of holiness or wonderfulness inherent in some objects. Compare mana.

rutuburi

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role in American Indian culture

wakan