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| The Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living | |
| Author | Joseph M. Marshall III |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Jesse Marinoff Reyes |
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Philosophical |
| Publisher | Penguin Group |
| Publication date | 2002 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0670894567 |
The Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons for Living is a philosophical novel by Joseph M. Marshall III. The book focuses on teaching the qualities that Marshall has learned over the course of his life and that he believes "are the foundation and moral sustenance of Lakota culture."[1] The hardcover version of the book was a finalist for the 2002 PEN Center USA West Literary Award for Creative Nonfiction and was also a finalist for The Books for a Better Life Award in the Spiritual category. Marshall uses the tales passed down from person to person in the Lakota culture, usually told to him by his grandmother or grandfather, to demonstrate it's place and importance in the lifestyle of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity. The book gives insight into the traditions of Native American cultures and history.
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
The book is divided into 13 sections, each one focusing on one specific quality, excluding the introduction. Each section usually contains a traditional Lakota tale, followed by Marshall's personal dialogue and opinions about the importance of the quality that the section is dedicated to. This dialogue usually makes references to Marshall's family or his experiences, other similar Lakota tales to be used as a contrast, or cultural and political examples from both Western and Lakota culture.
[edit] Plot summary
[edit] Introduction: Let the Wind Blow Through You
The first section of The Lakota Way recalls Marshall's experience as a young child of being teased because of his Native American ancestory. He then explains how his grandfather's advice helped to alleviate his emotional pain. He praises his elders and their wisdom and how he trusted his grandfather's advice because of all the things he had seen and experienced in his long life. Marshall uses the introduction to explain how Lakota stories not only serve as a way to teach morals, but also serve to connect people to the past and educate them on Lakota culture. [2] Remembering the impact of the introduction of Europeans to Native American culture, Marshall credits the Lakota values and qualities as the main reason Lakota culture was able to survive. [3]
[edit] Humility (Unsiiciyapi)
To be humble, modest, unpretenious
The first section of The Lakota Way covers the moral of humility and it's role in a multitude of rituals and practices. Marshall uses The Story of No Moccasins to emphasize the importance of having humility and the respect and honor once would receive when practicing humility. The story describes the last hours of Three Horns, which takes place prior to the year 1700. [4] During his life, Three Horns had many successes and honors in battle and rose up the ranks in society and eventually joined the council of elders. He was described as being wise and unselfish and healthy, even in his later years. [5] His wife, No Moccasins, was generous and polite, and just as wise as her husband. Three Horns eventually fell ill and people from far and wide visited his village to wish him well or to see him one last time before his death. The night before his death, he asked for the oldest and wisest people in the village to visit him in his lodge. He asked the elders to listen to his story and to retell it to all the people who had come to visit him after he had died. He described his meeting a woman named Carries the Fire when he was a young man, and how, out of many men who had come to court her, she had decided to marry him. However, he was soon kidnapped in battle and taken as a slave to an enemy village. One night, his wife came to his aid, risking her life to save him. She explained that she had been told he had died in battle, but she had refused to believe it. The two managed to escape the enemy camp and spent days trying to lose the trackers that had been sent after them. In a plan to lead them off of their trail, Carries the Fire left her moccasins by a river to lead the enemy away. He then reveals that the woman had rescued him was, indeed, his wife, No Moccasins and says that all the honor he received should rightfully be hers, granting her his lodge and all of his possessions and war honors. For the rest of her life, people gave her gifts and presents, but she wanted for nothing and shared all she had with the rest of the village. Marshall titles his personal dialogue The Quiet Path, and begins by explaining the practice of Waktoglaka. When a warrior returns from battles, he publicly recounts his exploits. However, to ensure verifiablity, at least one other person must confirm the stories. A warrior recounts his stories only once, and does not repeat them unless he is asked to by somebody. It is an exercise in humility and modesty and also gives young warriors an example to emulate.
