Some Native American Indian Tribes have their own particular summer solstice rituals or celebrations but many share social activities at this time such as powwows, which are gatherings where family and friends may come together for feasting, dancing and drumming, singing and story-telling and sports and competitions.

Medicine wheels, found all over the Northern U.S., may have played a part in early solstice ceremonies. The Bighorn Medicine Wheel is 10,000 feet up in the Wyoming Rockies. Around five hundred years old it is a circle of boulders, eighty feet in diameter, with twenty eight spokes radiating out from a central cairn. On the outside of the circle are six other cairns and these line up with the rising and setting of the sun and others stars at Midsummer. It is a popular place to visit to view the sunrise at the summer solstice, both by modern Native Americans and many other people.

The origin and meaning behind it are unknown but some believe that it was built by the Cheyenne as it is similar to the layout of the floor of an ancient Cheyenne medicine lodge where the sundance was performed.

Because of the film 'A Man Called Horse' and other media references, the Sun Dance is probably one of the best known American Indian celebrations in the world but most people don't know that crucially it is held at Midsummer, beginning on the first full moon closest to the solstice.

It was practiced by many tribes of Plains Indians including the Cheyenne, Sioux, and Arapaho Nations. After days of preparation the dance itself lasts for four days. A participant fasts for this period and may pierce his skin with skewers of wood or bone which are attached by rope to the central sun pole so that they are torn loose during the movements of the dance.
These sacrifices symbolize giving something back to the Great Spirit, the living Earth, and serve as a spiritual rebirth for the participant.
Like numerous other aspects of Native American life it was outlawed by the government but a form of it has continued to be practiced.

Other rituals associated with the solstice include that of the Natchez tribe who inhabited the Mississippi Valley until the eighteenth century. They would let the village fires die out on Midsummer's Eve then re-light them next day from the sacred fire which had been built anew.
It is difficult to ascertain if the remnants of this people, scattered by war with the French, still observe the solstice.

The Hopi

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Native American celebrations of summer solstice?
We want to hear your view. Write now!