Ranuwe
Ioway and Sioux (including Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota) were similar in
many ways, coming from the same trunk of the "Siouan-speaking" tree
thousands of years ago. Ioway was closest related to Otoe and
Missouria, and then next, Winnebago.
It is interesting to look at the Ioway and Sioux words for pipe.
Lakota, as has been said, say "canupa" (similar to cha-NOOM-pah) while
Ioway say "ranuwe" (in beginning position, the r --pronounced between
the english "r" and "l" sounds -- sounds similar to a "d"). Ioway
"ranuwe/lanuwe/danuwe" (RAH-noo-way) is made up of "ra-" (to use with
the mouth) and "nuwe" (two; denting the two pieces of the pipe, the
bowl and the stem). Lakota "canupa" is made up of "ca(n)" (wood;
speaking of the stem) and "nu(m)pa" (two; like Ioway speaking of the
two parts of the pipe).
As I understand, the Lakota story (the
most widely known, as the Lakota are a numerous tribe) holds that White
Buffalo Calf Woman brought them the sacred pipe when they lived on the
prairie and were looking for buffalo. Now the stories differ as to
whether she brought all Sioux pipes, or just the one specific Calf Pipe
presently kept for the Lakota by Arvol Looking Horse. It depends on who
you talk to from my experience.
The
Ioway stories say that the clans brought their own pipes (especially
the Bear) when we were yet animals and had not become fully human.
While White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the Lakota their Sacred Pipe
(canupa wakan), our Ioway CLan ancestors brought us our sacred clan
pipes (ranuwe waxonyita).
Lance Foster
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