The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

INDIAN BURIAL PRAYER

MR. HUMFREVILLE REPORTS THAT WHEN THE DAUGHTER OF "SPOTTED
TAIL" DIED, SHE WAS BURIED HIGH ON A SCAFFOLD. AFTERWARDS
HER BODY WAS PLACED IN THE GROUND (A CUSTOM WHICH WAS
RARE) AND A SIOUX INDIAN WHO WAS A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
SAID THIS PRAYER OVER HER BODY: "WE BURY YOUR BODY AS
THE SUN GOES DOWN AND AS THE SUN RISES IN THE MORNING,
SO YOUR SPIRIT WILL GO TO OUR GREAT CREATOR WITH THE
RISES OF THE SUN, WHICH WILL TAKE YOU TO THE SPIRIT LAND,
AND THERE KEEP YOU UNTIL ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
SHALL JOIN YOU. YOU WILL BE IN LIFE AGAIN WITH THEM,
AND LIVE FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT WANT OR CARE."

Where learned: BOOK BY J. LEE HUMFREVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN