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DavanKael -> RE: blood tied (9/6/2009 2:03:01 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: allthatjaz
quote:
ORIGINAL: DavanKael
Not sure if you referenced my spelling as an error or counterpoint, jazz. :> The folks I know who identify and practice as such spell their faith with a k rather than a c.
I, too, have been to a Sundance and found it to be quite powerful and beautiful. Understanding that each act is undertaken with specific intent, that every flesh and blood offering is with specific plea, is something that I hold great reverence for.
I am confused about what you mean by hook suspension; my understanding is that these are not standard at Sundance, rather piercings with buffalo-bone pegs that are attached either to a tree from which one ultimately tears free, for draging skulls, or some other purpose. No actual hooks, in any information I have ever been given are mentioned.
I was invited this year but circumstances made such not the year to go...my hope is for next year.
Davan
Sorry it was my spelling error.
I first got involved with (My own) hook suspension with Fakir
http://www.bmezine.com/news/fakir/20031115.html
Fakir Musafar encourages the Sun Dance but for those that get involved in hook suspension to follow there own inner beliefs as to what it means. Hooks suspension is very personal.
As someone who already had a great interest in Native American practices and the Lakota people it was natural for me to follow that route.
I would not use bones spears for piercings but I have taken many hours of endurance through self suspension. (I have a pic on my profile). I have also had a spear put through my face (stops you from talking!) which is possibly as near as I will ever get to doing a full sun dance.
I know from my experience that I could never let the hooks rip through my skin like they do but what I can feel is an amazing connection.
Hi, jaz----
Fakir is probably "The" leader of the neo-tribal movement.
I would caution you and anyone who is looking into amalgamated rituals that you may not be getting the 'pure' thing.
To some that matters, to others, it would not.
The Sundance I attended wasn't truly traditional in some ways, according to my understanding: it was a purely male practice and there were female dancers, though none pierced. I have heard of only one female piercing at that site and it was done through the bicep with an eagle feather attached and the flesh torn and cut off at some point. Women who pierce are not pierced through the chest as they do not wish to damage the breasts and ability to give milk. I did not witness that. I did witness the male I was partnered with cut, pierced, tied to the tree, dance, tear free. I danced the whole day in support of him and what some may regard as barbaric or horrific in the acts he undertook, I found it quite beautiful and I do not believe I shall ever forget the look on his face as he danced. I am honored to have shared that experience. Most others pierced in that way. There was one guy who was very prideful (Not what it was supposed to be about) who pierced through his back and drug buffalo skulls; I was told by an elder that that is usually a show of dishonor. The guy was trying to be a rockstar at an event that is not supposed to be about such things. The buffalo bone pegs are kept by individual dancers and the ropes are their own too, so there's no cross-contamination there. They're not spears, they're more like very thick needles. It's sort of amazing how little damage they do when they're inserted. Then, of course, the torn flesh is cut off and made up as a flesh offering. The wounds are tended to in a particular way.
Anyway, I've probably gone on more than most folks are interested in, but I'd love to talk with you further about SunDancing and such: feel free to cmail me, if you'd like. :>
Davan
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