Religion has always been a powerful influence around the world starting at the beginning of time. Religion is an internalized control within the social societies. It contributes to many of the ways of life for the Cheyenne Indians. What led to this way of thinking? Everything has a beginning, present, and end. The present day did not reach today without a beginning. As same in all religion, it begins with a myth. The beliefs of the Cheyenne Indians begins with the myth of Maheo. Maheo is known to be as their Divine God, Divine Creator, Great Spirit, or “Wise One Above45.”
According to the myth, Maheo decided to create a world. From there, he created animals to help him create more life. He created land from mud and placed it upon Grandmother Turtle’s back to carry. Her hair became wonderful flowers and plants and eventually he saw her as Grandmother Earth. He did not want her to be alone and so he created a copy of himself. He pulled a rib from his right side and it formed into the first man. He, also, did not want this man to be alone so he pulled out a rib from his left side. This rib formed into the first woman. He sat back and thought. He decided to gift his creation with a buffalo to fulfill all their needs from food to warmth to clothing32. (Please refer bibliography for the entire story of Maheo)
In the myth, one of the main importances is that the animals he initially created had helped him create the rest of the world and because of this, the Cheyenne Indians believe in animism. They believe in respecting the spirits of animals and nature because they had helped form today. They also believe the spirits inside animals and natural objects contain a mysterious power that can be transferred to man similar to contagious magic24.
The Cheyenne Indians believe in a peaceful way of life. They live by the teachings of Motzeyout, commonly known as Sweet Medicine19. To understand these beliefs, it is important to know the story of Sweet Medicine and how he became a great man.
This is the legend of Arrow Boy. Arrow boy was an unusual child in the
tribe. He was in his mother's womb for four years. When he was finally born, the tribe considered the child supernatural. The child learned and grew quickly. Over time he had shown them great magic. One day he went hunting with the children of the tribe and killed a calf. The chief found them and pushed Arrow boy out of the way. In retaliation, Arrow boy knocked the chief over the head and killed him. The children ran back to tell the recite the events. Arrow boy ran away from the tribe and cursed famine over the tribe. Over time, the people of the tribe would see Arrow boy far away in different clothing. He was never spotted again for some time. It is told that Arrow boy found a passage way into the mountains. Here, Arrow boy received the teachings of sacred prophesies, warfare, ceremonies, songs, and four medicine arrows. He came out a counselor and prophet19. Cheyenne
Arrow boy returned to the tribe and release the Cheyenne tribe of famine. He restored their balance in food and ways of life. He sang to them the sacred songs and performed sacred ceremonies. He performed the ritual of the sacred arrow. The Cheyenne Indians, from then on, had an abundance of food and great powers19. (Please refer to the bibliography for the entire story of Arrow Boy)
SWEET MEDICINE’S TEACHINGS
Sweet Medicine believed in restitution, rehabilitation, forgiveness, and most importantly, peace. He believed in fairness. He taught the people of the
tribe that a leader should not become more powerful than everyone. He established 44 chiefs who would represent the tribes and all things. The leaders must renounce their warrior ways and talk of peace. He believed if one was a warrior then one could not speak of peace and only until one takes another path that true peace can be found. Cheyenne
The tribe's remaining warriors were divided and put into societies to help maintain balance. They were also punishers for wrong doings. In the punishments, he believed there should be a moral and the punished would be rehabilitated. Once rehabilitated, he believed they should be forgiven for their wrong doings. From Sweet Medicine's examples and teachings, tribe leaders followed his path29.
RITUALS AND CERAMONIES
When Sweet Medicine left the mountain he had carried a bundle with him. Within the bundle, it contained four great arrows from the Great Spirit: two “Man Arrows” for warfare and two “Bison Arrows” for hunting3. The ritual is performed annually for four days at the time of the summer solstice. Only the men in the tribe can participate. The women must remain inside the teepee for the entire four days39. The arrows are kept by the keepers of the Mahut3. On these days, the arrows are brought forth to renew the arrows, renew the tribe, and empower the men14.
The Animal Dance was taught to the tribe by Sweet Medicine. The women will prepare the ceremony. When performed, it shall bring success to the hunters. Men will dress as animals and members of the Bowstring Society will pretend to hunt them14.
The Sun Dance is a ritual and ceremony. It is to appraise Maheo for the creation of the Earth and the universe. It also celebrates the spirits all around and the renewal of life. The Sun Dance is the most important ceremony for the Cheyenne Indians. It takes place once a year at the height of summer. It is said some would stare into the sun while dancing to enter a trance. From this trance, the dancer would receive power and ensure the renewal of the cosmos39.