White Buffalo Calf Woman and the Sacred Pipe
During a time of great famine, two Lakota scouts encountered a mysterious woman in white buckskin. One scout approached her with lustful intent and was reduced to bones. The woman instructed the remaining scout to prepare the tribe. She gave the people the chanupa (sacred pipe) made of red stone carved with a buffalo calf, taught them the Seven Sacred Rites including the Sun Dance and vision quest, and showed them how to pray to Wakan Tanka. Before departing she transformed through four colors—black, red, brown, and white—becoming a white buffalo calf who promised to return when the people nee