Minneapolis Institute of Art

Elk Dreamer's Society Pouch

Lakȟóta artist

Date

1890–1910

Medium

Porcupine quills, hide, beads, tin, feathers

Culture

Lakȟóta

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Lakota had a complex system of societies that were associated with animals, sacred power, and battle exploits. Members of the Elk Dreamer's Society had to have a vision involving elk in order to be a member. Participants usually wore and used items with elk imagery, like this pouch. During their ceremonies, some members wore masks that symbolized elk and carried a decorated hoop. One of the powers that Elk Dreamer's had was the ability to control love. Lakȟóta, United States, Americas

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.