Dakota/Lakota

CMC V-E-237 a,b

Hanpa ksupi, c.1891






Collected from
Bequah Earl
of Caledon Collection.


Glass beads, smoked brain-tanned deer hide, yellow pigment, sinew.

These moccasins are almost identical to those Standing Holy (Sitting Bull's daughter) has been photographed wearing.

This design is the symbol of the Morning Star. It, and not the sunrise, represents the beginning of a new day. The image also corresponds to the four directions. The sections at the top may represent the split buffalo staff or forked staff.

This stepped design signifies the mountains. The mountains represent the West, from which comes lightning, the carrier of medicine.

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