Sisters of the Burning Branch Goddess Gallery presents...

Pte San Win

(White Buffalo Woman)

by Chenoa

Pte San Win, commonly called White Buffalo Woman, often answeres prayers for women, children, and those in need.
Pte San Win is often prayed to by Native Americans before, during, and after performing any of the seven sacred rites
she taught the Oglala Sioux people.

The 7 Sacred Rites

Hanbleceya-Crying for a Vision

Hunkapi-The Making of Relatives

Inipi-Rite of Purification

Isnati Awicalowanpi-Coming of Age

Nagi Gluhapi-Keeping of the Soul

Tapa Wankaye-The Throwing of the Ball

Wiwanke Wachipi-The Sun Dance

Inipi

Inipi means ‘to live again’. It is also a term used often referring to the Sweat Lodge. Inipi, or the Rite of Purification is performed to experience moral strengthening, physical healing, and to renew social and cultural bonds. This rite is also done before any major undertaking to purify the body and gain strength and power.

The rite is performed in a sweat lodge. The sweat lodge is construced from sixteen young willow trees placed in a circle with a ceiling that forms a dome with the door facing East. The lodge is then covered with hides to ensure no light can penetrate to the inside. A fire with stones is placed in the center of the lodge.

Before the Rite is performed, sweetgrass is burned to purify the sweat lodge. Participants enter the lodge, which resembles the Great Mother’s womb. While inside, they smoke the sacred pipe while stones are placed on the fire allowing the participants to sweat out all impurities. As they exit the Inipi, they undergo a spiritual rebirth.

Original Prayer Song to Pte San Win
by Chenoa

Pte San Win we sing your Praise.

We sing your Praise,

For the Sacred Pipe.

The living breath brings Peace;

It brings Peace and Harmony to all.

With my feet upon the Earth,

I raise the pipe to the sky.

I feel the Sacred Earth below,

And the Sacred Spirit above.

The Sacred Pipe joins all together.

Pte San Win we Honor you,