Religion

THE BEGINNING
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 Turtles 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 PROPHET
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
Cheyenne 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.
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 MEDICINES TEACHINGS

Sweet Medicine believed in restitution, rehabilitation, forgiveness, and most
importantly, peace. He believed in fairness. He taught the people of the
Cheyenne 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.
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

Renewal of Sacred Arrows (Mahuts)
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.

Animal Dance
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.
Sun Dance
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.