Home - Siouan Articles - Sioux Myths

The Sitcanxu

The Sitcanxu, Bois Brules or Burned Thighs, are divided locally into (1)
Qeyata-witcaca (Heyata wicasa), People-away-from-the-river, the Highland
or Upper Brule, and (2) the Kud (Kuta or Kunta)-witcaca, the Lowland or
Lower Brule. The Sitcanxu are divided socially into gentes, of which the
number has increased in recent years. The following names of their gentes
were given to the author in 1880 by Tatanka-wakan, Mysterious
Buffalo-bull: 1, Iyak'oza (Iyakoza), Lump (or wart)-on-a-horse's-leg. 2,
Tcoka-towela (Coka-towela), Blue-spot-in-the-middle. 3, Ciyo-tanka
(Siyo-tanka), Large grouse or prairie chicken. 4, Ho-mna, Fish-smellers.
5, Ciyo-subula (Siyo-subula), Sharp-tail grouse. 6, Kanxi-yuha
(Kangi-yuha), Raven keepers. 7, Pispiza-witcaca (Pispiza-wicasa),
Prairie-dog people. 8, Walexa-un-wohan (Walega un wohan),
Boil-food-with-the-paunch-skin (walega). 9, Watceunpa (Waceunpa),
Roasters. 10, Cawala (Sawala), Shawnee; the descendants of a Shawnee chief
adopted into the tribe. 11, Ihanktonwan (Ihanktonwan), Yankton, so called
from their mothers, Yankton women; not an original Sitcanxu gens. 12,
Naqpaqpa (Nahpahpa), Take-down (their)-leggings (after returning from
war). 13, Apewan-tanka (Apewan tanka), Big manes (of horses).

In 1884 Reverend W.J. Cleveland sent the author the accompanying diagram
(figure 32) and the following list of Sitcanxu gentes, containing names
which he said were of very recent origin; 1, Sitcanxu proper. 2, Kak'exa
(Kakega),Making-a-grating-sound. 3a, Hinhan-cun-wapa (Hinhan-sun-wapa),
Toward-the-owl-feather. 3b, Cunikaha-napin (Sunkaha napin),
Wears-a-dogskin-around-the-neek, 4, Hi-ha kanhanhan win (Hi-ha kanhanhan
win), Woman (win) -the-skin (ha) -of-whose-teeth (hi) -dangles
(kanhanhan). 5, Hunku-wanitca (Hunku-wanica), Without-a-mother. 6,
Miniskuya-kitc'un (Miniskuya kicun), Wears salt. 7a, Kiyuksa,
Breaks-or-cuts-in-two-his-own (custom, etc; probably referring to the
marriage law; see Mdewakantonwan gens number 1). 7b, Ti-glabu,
Drums-iu-his-own-lodge. 8, Watceunpa (Waceunpa), Boasters. 9, Wagluqe
(Wagluhe), Followers, commonly called loafers; A.L. Riggs thinks the word
means in-breeders. 10, Isanyati (Isanyati), Santee (probably derived
from the Mdewakantonwan). 11, Wagmeza-yuha, Has corn. 12a, Walexa-on-wohan
(Walega-on-wohan), Boils-with-the-paunch-skin. 12b, Waqna (Wahna), Snorts.
13, Oglala-itc'itcaxa (Oglala-icicaga), Makes-himself-an-Oglala. 14,
Tiyotcesli (Tiyocesli), Dungs-in-the-lodge. 15, Wajaja (Wazaza), Osage
(?). 16, Ieska-tcintca (Ieska-cinca), Interpreter's sons; half-bloods.
17, Ohe-nonpa (Ohe-nonpa), Two boilings or kettles. 18, Okaxa-witcaca
(Okaga-wicasa), Man-of-the-south.

Next: The Itaziptco
Previous: The Titonwan Or Teton

Report
Privacy

SHARE

BOOKMARK

Viewed 837

Most Viewed

Least Viewed

Random Siouan Articles

The Sitcanxu