Wakinyan

A dream of a Wakíŋyaŋ, drawing by Black Hawk (Sans Arc Lakota (ca. 1832–ca. 1890), Ledger art, ca.1880

Wakíŋyaŋ is a Lakota word for "thunder."

The word is usually translated as "Thunder Spirits", "Thunder Beings," or "Thunder Birds". ^[1] Heyokas, that is contrarians, dream of Wakinyan and can burn cedar (Juniperus scopulorum) to protect themselves from thunder and lightning, since Wakinyan respects and will not harm that tree.^[2]

References

^ Legendary Native American Figures: Thunderer (Wakinyan)
^ Tyon, Thomas (1991). Walker, James R. (ed.). Lakota Belief and Ritual. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. p. 155.

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[1] Legendary Native American Figures: Thunderer (Wakinyan)

[2] Tyon, Thomas (1991). Walker, James R. (ed.). Lakota Belief and Ritual. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. p. 155.

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