Every Lakota man wants a spirit helper.  The hanbleceya, one of the seven sacred Lakota rites, is how he gets one.

In the old days, a Lakota young man of about age 13 would want to hanbleceya.  It was a rite of passage into adulthood.  Now some men don’t hanbleceya until they are in their 20’s.   In the old days, the ceremony usually lasted 4 days.  Now it may be done in 1 or 2 days.

The guidance of a spiritual leader is sought to assist the man with the ceremony.  The man will seek out a spiritual leader and offer him tobacco as a gift. They will smoke a pipe together.  A location needs to be determined and usually the spiritual leader will take the man to the chosen location.  This is often referred to as “going up on the hill,” since that is often where it happens.  Bear Butte in western South Dakota is often the site for the rite.

Before going up on the hill, there is often an inipi (sweat lodge) ceremony first to purify the man who is seeking the vision.

When the man goes up on the hill, he doesn’t take along any food or water.  He takes along his sacred pipe, some tobacco prayer ties to outline the area where he will be praying and some type of a blanket to protect him from the elements while he prays the next few days.  He stays in one small location in nature during his quest.  He is hoping to find a vision of what his purpose in life should be and how he may best serve his community.  He is also hoping to receive a spirit helper during his vision.  The spirit helper will come to talk to him.  It may be a deer, a bear, and eagle, or some other animal who will help to protect and guide him in life.  It is somewhat similar to the concept of a guardian angel for a Christian, except that his spirit helper will likely be an animal.

The man will cry out in prayer continuously and wait for a vision to come when he is asleep.  After he has received a vision, he will come down from the hill and consult with his spiritual leader about the meaning of what he saw and how it applies to his life.

In the old days, he would plan to take part in a sun dance one year later.

In a prison setting, this rite cannot be done as is customary.  Inmates of various faiths can and do fast in their cells at times.  Spiritual leaders will often advise Native inmates who wish to fast to at least drink some water to prevent kidney problems.  Many of the Native inmates are diabetic so the spiritual leaders will make special allowances for them.  If there isn’t a spiritual leader available to provide guidance, an elder inmate may be asked to assist.

Mary Montoya