Oglala Religion (Religion and Spirituality) [Paperback]

William K. Powers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1977 | ISBN-10: 0803287062 | ISBN-13: 978-0803287068 | Edition: 1St Edition

This study seeks to explain how one group of Native Americans, the Oglala Sioux, has preserved its social and cultural identity despite formidable attempts by the U.S. government to eliminate tribal societies. Treating continuity and change as two aspects of the same phenomenon, it focuses on the nature of the uniquely Oglala values that persist, their modes of cultural expression, and the processes by which they are replicated.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating study of Oglala religion . . . This is an important book and will be invaluable for anyone interested in the Sioux world view."--"American Studies"

About the Author

William K. Powers is a professor of anthropology at Livingston College, Rutgers University. He is the author of many articles and books, including Yuwipi, available in a Bison Books edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press; 1St Edition edition (July 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803287062
• ISBN-13: 978-0803287068
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,057,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oglala Religion in the Present Day, December 13, 2000

By 

Adam Seward - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oglala Religion (Religion and Spirituality) (Paperback)

William K. Powers is, in my opinion, of inestimable value as a scholar of present-day Lakota society. He somehow manages to straddle a fence that few bother with: how to keep his credibility as a scholar, and yet show respect to the Native culture which he portrays. In my opinion, no contemporary non-Indian scholar does this, but Powers is as close as you'll get. It is apparent from his writings that he truly loves the Lakota people. It is a shame that in the end, he boils it down to a Levi-Straussian analysis. This follows the standard Western hermeneutic of assuming that no culture has value unless its ultimate worth is traced to Western scholarship. I would recommend any of Powers' writings highly. The Lakota have assisted him in making his spiritual pilgrimage to become a non-Indian interpreter with rare wisdom and insight into the lives of contemporary Natives.