A few days ago, I touched on courting and marriage, specifically the presence of plural wives in the tribes of the old west. The main reason for having more than one was often dictated by the number of men killed during battle or buffalo hunts, and the honor of relatives to take on the families left behind. If one brave had only one wife and his brother was killed, leaving behind two, then it wasn't uncommon for that man to become the husband to three. Quite often, a singular wife might suggest her spouse marry again to ease her workload while giving her a senior status in the household. Little is written about the sexual habits in the research books I've used, but I always wonder how accurate our romantic notions are in the novels we create about the American Indian tribes. Thankfully, we write fiction and can enhance what we don't know to be certain.
I was surprised to learn of the respect and attention given to males we would today consider homosexuals. These tribal members were more the transvestite types, called 'winkte,' and although feared to some degree, they were not hated. Rather than participate in male roles such as hunting and warring, the 'winkte' dressed as women and took up quilling, tanning, and other female duties. They lived in their own tepees at the edge of camp, which I was suprised to learn was an area usually reserved for ancient widows and orphans. I'm not quite sure why there would be orphans since most research indicates the Sioux were very family oriented, and the tribe was considered an extended family who took care of their own. As I continue to share my findings with you, perhaps I'll discover the answer.
The 'winkte' were believed to acquire their 'womanly' skills through supernatural inspiration. Pieces of work completed by a 'winkte' were considered more desireable and often cherished. Some also deemed the transvestites to have healing powers and sought the to name their children. Of course, the names are considered secret and not used, but still hopefully will strengthen the child. Girls were never given 'winkte' names.
Although those men who dressed as women were given respect in some ways, male warriors were instructed that even though a 'winkte' lived and worked as a woman, to engage in sexual relations with one was cause for retribution after death. The belief was in the land beyond, the warrior would not be allowed to live in the main circle, but away from the rest where the 'winktes' would torture him. I suppose it worked as the Sioux held the 'beyond' in the greatest reverence.
There appears to be no documentation of obvious lesbaniasm among the female tribal members. This may be attributed to the 'dream' instructions given to young women that warned of avoiding perversion. Obviously, fear played an important role in instilling the goal of wife and mother, as no record exists of old maids among the Sioux. I found it very interesting that men were given greater acceptance of their differences while women were more restricted and basically 'scared straight.'
I hope you're enjoying this series of information about the Sioux. It used to be research for me, now it's become a passion. Back soon.
