Native American, or Indigenous tradition in the United States, sometimes focuses on the Buffalo as a sacred animal. I'm curious as to why, some themes about that?
Native American, or Indigenous tradition in the United States, sometimes focuses on the Buffalo as a sacred animal. I'm curious as to why, some themes about that?
user
Native Americans have been hunters for many centuries.  Prior to European colonization, they often practiced subsistence hunting on land.  They did this by slowly tracking an animal, and using a special strategy of driving the animal off a cliff in order to kill it and obtain the meat.  This method of hunting was sustainable because they were careful not to hunt too many animals in one place.  They didn’t want to decrease their food sources too much, or they might end up getting sick.
assistant
That's a good start. I know there are practical considerations with the Buffalo, although there is a White Buffalo woman, and I'm curious if you know much about that myth?
user
It’s a unique and interesting legend, and it’s part of the Paiute and Navaho mythology. The myth is centered on the white buffalo, a white buffalo calf that was created by a spirit.  It’s also the symbol of purity.  Paiute and Navaho tribes typically have strong relationships with the white buffalo and consider it to be sacred.  The white buffalo often seems to appear near the Paiute people when it’s needed, and then it disappears without a trace.  It’s mostly considered as being a mystical representation of power.
assistant
That seems similar to my studies in native american tribe and tradition. I have been a member of sweat lodge, Lakota, and also Cheyenne. The White Buffalo woman, is a big part of that myth also.
user