Write a descriptive essay as a participant observer describing the culture and lifestyle of the Lakota tribe based on information from the online link. Be sure to read all the journal excerpts before writing the essay. When possible, include a description of family, education, religion, economic, and political systems you observed in the excerpts

The following essay on Lakota tribes describes the observer’s view on culture, lifestyle, socio-economic and political situation of the America’s oldest tribe.

Explanation:

Lakota or the native Indians are the native tribes of America. They primarily reside in the region of South and North Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota. They are known to speak native Lakota language which is a dialect from the Sioux tribal group.

Numbering around 70,000, they have been influenced by the development of cosmopolitan American culture. More than half of them identify themselves with the American culture. Traditionally they have been known to be a fierce hunting and warring group much contrary to their name which means “allies”.  

The economy of Lakota tribe was self-sufficient and revolved around horses and buffaloes. However, since then it has gone complete metamorphosis. They had a sustainable nomadic lifestyle and consumed resources as per their needs. They fasted during the droughts in the hope that mother nature would provide them with a surplus after being happy observing their penance.

They were animistic in their belief and practises. They worshipped mother nature, plant, trees and mountains. They had utmost belief in spirits and used special rituals to impress these spirits to bring fortune and spare them from the wrath of other evil spirits.

Today these communities witness high unemployment, alcoholism and poverty. Lakota fund was started to provide them initial relief modelled on the concept of “Bangladesh Grameen bank”.

They have commensurate less political representation. Legally they are treated as a semi-autonomous nation and officials are elected to the council post in the state of Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska.