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| Petaga
Yuha Mani, (American Indian, born March 17, 1912 - died December 3, 1993). |
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A holy man or woman who is powerful in
spirit will have great influences wherever they are. Continually in communion with the Creator, they shed the musk of hidden meanings as they breath.
Their presence changes lives. A simple brief meeting with such a soul
might have more impact than a lifetime of encounters with others.
During the course of my life, I have
met people like this, but rarely, since they are unusual.
Years ago, in my youth, I chanced to
find myself with a holy man, and the episode deeply touched my life. A living experience dwells in my heart ever since. Here
is the story:
PETAGA
With his back to the
early morning sun, he stood beside his small wood slat home on the
South Dakota Indian reservation. Despite being at a distance, he had a
bigger-than-life presence, such as a grand, magnificent oak tree
might have; full of character, deep roots and strong trunk, with
branches reaching far off to the sky. He gazed imperturbably at us, a
little gang of hippies that had arrived improbably at his house in
the early summer. Our elder leader popped her head out of the old
Dodge Dart we were packed inside and smiling, called out, “Pete,
long time no see!” He smiled and replied, “Yeah, on the Big
Island wasn't it?”
The others filed
inside, and as I reached the threshold, I stood a moment, reaching
out my hand. A slanting ray of light fell across his figure. The tall
older man stood almost a head above me. Deep furrows creased his long face. Black braided hair fell behind immense ears and over his shoulders. He wore a faded western shirt, black
trousers and boots and reached out to me with both hands open. I moved to stand face to face as he took my hands
in his. Looking at me with utter kindness and humility, he stood for
what seemed like a long time, not saying anything, simply gazing with
great tenderness, warmth and curiosity. I was startled to suddenly
feel truly recognized, like we had known each other forever, even as
dear friends from a time before birth when we had gathered together
on the shores of dawn. The moment burned indelibly into my being,
and I was given a lasting gift of deep peace and comfort. Though not a word had been spoken, volumes were imparted
in the briefest moments.
His English name was
Pete Catches, Sr. the last part shortened from Catches The Enemy. He
lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota all his life. For
decades he healed and instructed both Natives and non-Natives near
his home and off the reservation. He revived the
Sundance among the Lakota in the early 1960's and in 1964, he was
named Sundance chief by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, the only
such distinction in tribal history. His Oglala Sioux name was Petaga
Yuha Mani, or Petaga for short, and during a gathering in his home,
he told us how he got his name, meaning “Hands in Fire.”
Petaga sat on a wood
chair, long legs outstretched and hand on his knee. “It was the
early days of my being a medicine man, and I had been called to visit
a sick man. When I went in his home, he was laying on a bed in the
corner . He looked at me and I could see he did not believe I could
help him. I needed his faith. I walked to the fireplace and reached
into the fire, gathering hot coals in both of my hands, and then went
to him. As I stood in front of him, he got faith and I was able to
cure him. From then on, I had the name Petaga, meaning hands in
fire.
We
stayed three days. The last evening, we gathered at a sweat lodge
near the house, and did a sweat with his two grown sons. It was
surprising how hot it became inside the hut made of bowed branches
covered with burlap and blankets. A pit dug in the middle contained
hot stones taken from a nearby wood fire. Occasionally someone
sprinkled water on them making them hiss and steam. Prayers and
offerings were made to the four directions and Great Spirit. Sage was thrown on the stones and burned with a sweet pungent aroma. A peace
pipe was passed around.
He
told us he had two wives, and when he had taken the younger wife his
first wife did not like it. Saying this, he grinned and explained the
Sioux are allowed to take more than one wife. Always absolutely
honest, he was deep as a river and as broad.
During
a moment of silence, when he sat near to me, I found myself praying
for him. I imagined the innumerable hardships he faced. His little
house with makeshift furnishings would barely keep out the harsh
winters. Closing my eyes, as my prayer went out, I had the unusual
experience of feeling Petaga block my thoughts. I felt hurt at being
strongly rebuffed—his door suddenly shut. His pride did not allow
for sympathy from strangers. Inwardly, he spoke to me then, saying,
little brother, why do you pray for me? Everything is contained
here . . . and more! It is you that is poor. Be content with me in
the Kingdom of our Father.
© by Steven Boone
All
Rights Reserved
