The Genealogy of the Second, or Companion, Forms of Wakan Tanka According to the Oglala Lakota Shamans Circa 1900

Each of the main forms or personalities of Wakan Tanka, for various reasons cited in the Oglala

Lakota myths, created a companion for themselves. The first, Hanwi (the moon), seems to be pretty self-

explanatory. The name is a combination of Han (the darkness) and Wi (the sun spirit). It seems that

literally the name would translate to something like “the bright spirit of the night” or “she who is the

synthesis of darkness and light”. Tate (the wind) was created by Skan for companionship. It seems that

Unk, originally created by Maka for companionship, became even more contentious than Maka herself

and had to be cast into the seas. There she presides over the waters and oversees all things evil.

Wakinyan (the winged one) was created by Inyan to be his associate and messenger. Since the name

Wakinyan has the original spirit’s name contained within its own, it seems that there must be some kind

of linguistic or symbolic relevance to this fact. Although, it is much more difficult to say what that

meaning might be, as my grasp of Lakota language is far from perfect. If I had to make an educated

guess, I would say that it must be something fairly literal, such as “the winged spirit who proceeds from

Inyan” or something to that effect. All of the above information was taken from long-time physician,

anthropologist, and shamanic initiate James R. Walker’s personal writings from the early 1900s.

Wi

Hanwi

Skan

Tate

Maka

Unk

Inyan

Wakinyan