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Shakuru is the name of a solar deity of the Pawnee, who functioned as an intermediary between mankind and Tirawa. Shakuru was among the first of these intermediary spirits created, and invoked in prayer as "The Father of Strength". Other aspects of worship included being a war god, and divine messenger.
In the creation story of the Pawnee, they were the consort of Pah, the moon god, creating the first man through their union.
About this time of year, the Pawnee and gathering tribes come together to welcome the sun and all it’s power. All manner of magickal practices take place during this rite, including divinations to uncover a thief or murderer using totemic practices.
During this time we share food exchange stories get together with family Celebrate, exchange gifts and dance we take part in various ceremonies such as sweat lodge.
During the Pawnee Sun Dance Festival, men are dangled around a pole supported by ropes. The ropes were attached to them by thin wooden stakes driven through the flesh of the chest by hooks in which these are seen as test of strength. invoking/evoking a totem animal whom we call on for guidance and energy in times of need.
The solar and lunar deities were Shakuru and Pah, respectively. Both Shakuru and Pah were created by the supreme Creator god, Tirawa (also called Atius Tirawa). Tirawa was believed to have taught the Pawnee people tattooing, fire-building, hunting, agriculture, speech and clothing, religious rituals (including the use of tobacco and sacred bundles), and sacrifices.
He was associated with most natural phenomena, including stars and planets, wind, lightning, rain, and thunder. The wife of Tirawa was Atira, Goddess of the Earth. Atira was associated with corn.
Four major stars were said to represent gods and were part of the Creation story, in which the first human being was a woman. The Pawnee believe that the first woman was born of the Morning Star and Evening Star and the first man from the marriage of the Sun and Moon (Shakuru and Pah). Legend tells that the first woman and the son of Shakuru then created the Pawnee people.
Pawnee have a sophisticated understanding of the movement of stars. noted the nonconforming movements of both Venus (Evening Star) and Mars (Morning Star). The Pawnee centered all aspects of daily life on this celestial observation, including the important cultivation cycle for sacred corn.
Pawnee religion is the body of oral history passed down by family and most of are practices are kept secret from outsiders , cosmology, and myths of the Pawnee concerning gods and heroes. originally located on the Great Plains along tributaries of the Missouri and Platte Rivers in Nebraska and Kansas and now are currently in Oklahoma. Pawnee traditionally speak, a Caddoan language.
our ancestors lived in villages of earth lodges. They grew corn and went on long bison hunts on the open plains twice a year. The Pawnee have four bands: the Skidi and "the South Bands" consisted of the Chawi, the Kitkahahki and the Pitahawirata Pawnee.
There were some differences in the beliefs of the Skidi and the South Bands. The Skidis were "the great star specialists", with a belief system focusing on visible objects on the night sky. Stars east of the Milky Way were regarded as male gods, while the female powers reigned in the western sky. The South Bands acknowledged the creative powers of some celestial objects and meteorological phenomena, but largely counted upon animals for support and guidance.
Our people thrived in the plains region for thousands of years and quite literally were one with the land our lives revolved around the caretaking and preservation of the land we had true freedom.