keep it brief and you will find links on my links page that will take you on a journey into the people and their history.
The Lakota are an extremely diverse people. Differences between the many sub-groups range from subtle word pronounciations to beadwork design or clothing variances to a more complicated custom differentiation. Not every group does everything the same way.
The Lakota are a dialect group of the great nation we know today as the "Sioux" This is not the correct name for the three dialect groups of, Lakota, Dakota and Nakota, it is a by-product of the early interactions of the Hahatuwan(Ojibwe or Chippewa) and the French. The Hahaton were bitter enemies of the Dakota, and the Hahaton word for the Dakota was "Nadowessiuh", meaning "Little Snakes". In early French correspondance the word appears as "Nadowessioux". Over a period of time the word was shortened to the ever-so-popular "Sioux", and has remained as the name for the three bands of indians who where basically the same people but with dialect differences and subtle custom differences.
The Lakota Treaty encompasses all of Western South Dakota and parts of Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.
The Lakota are the largest band of the Sioux, and has one major band - The Teton - but are further sub-divided into seven smaller bands, these being: Oglala, Sicangu, Itazipco, Mnikowoju, Oohenunpa, Sihasapa and the Hunkpapa. Each band of families speaks their own dialect of the Lakota language.
For reasons that are too numerous and complicated to mention, America, know little more than "Indian": her own invention representing the original inhabitants of that continent. This learned misperception is far from the truth. Beginning in 1492, native peoples have suffered horrendously in the name of European "progress" and "civilization". To say that the Lakota suffered is a severe understatement. But, contrary to popular belief, the Lakota are still very much alive. The test of time did nothing more than strengthen their will to survive. Despite past atrocities committed against them, they've survived with significant portions of their language and culture. Great injustices were committed against ALL native people in the country, the Lakota of the Great Plains are no exception.
thousand words to form the very first Lakota Dictionary. After his death in 1954, Rev Paul Manhardt of the Holy Rosary Mission,
Pine Ridge, finished the job of editing the dictionary. Today there are many orthographies on the language, so the language still
remains a little of a mystery, as not one set standard of vocabulary is the be all and end all of this beautiful language.
The biggest stumbling block in learning to speak the Lakota language is making the correct sounds. There are double consonants,
vowels, gutterals, nasals, aspirates and glottal stops. Although these sounds can be difficult to make, it is imperative that they be pronounced correctly. Sometimes a sound can change the meaning of a word. The language also involves the use of male and female words to put a gender basis on a sentence.
You will find some links on the links page to further direct you into the world of this beautiful language should you like to learn more.
Here are but a few common words in Lakota followed by the pronounciation then the English meaning.
Hihanni waste.................................................................. He-ha-ney wash-tay................................................. ..Good morning
Htayetu waste................................................................. He-ty-yee-tu wash-tay............................................. Good evening
Pilamaya..........................................................................Pee-lah-my-yah.........................................................Thank you
Hoksila............................................................................Hok-she-lah................................................................Boy
Wecincilla.......................................................................We-chin-chee-lah.........................................................Girl
Canupa............................................................................Chah-num-pa..............................................................Peace Pipe
Hau pa.............................................................................Hum-pah....................................................................Moccasins
Pezuta cancega.................................................................Pay-zutah chahn-chay-ga..........................................Medicine Drum
Toniktuka........................................................................Doh-neek-doo-kah.....................................................How are you ?
Toksa ake........................................................................Dohk-sha ah-kay........................................................I'll see you again
Wa paha..........................................................................Wah-pa-hah................................................................War Bonnet
Hiya................................................................................Hee-yah.......................................................................No
Han.................................................................................HahN...........................................................................Yes
Wakan Tanka..................................................................Wah-kahn Dahn-kah....................................................Great Spirit (Creator)
If I was to say: "Nis, taku eniciyapi hwo" I would be saying: "You, what is your name ?"
If I was to say: "Australia ematahan" I would be saying: " I am from Australia"
These are just a few words and examples, there are thousands to learn. Hopefully this has given you an insight into the Lakota
and you may spread your wings from here and do some research of your own, I'm sure you will have an enjoyable time, much
as I do when learning about the fascinating culture, history and music of the Lakota People.
To read the story of the Lakota Flute Legend, please...............CLICK HERE
To read the Lakota Creation Myth, please.........CLICK HERE
