Wichita in Sedgwick County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ceremonial Pipes

The Ceremonial Pipe

— Plains Indians Life, Beliefs and Practices —

Ceremonial Pipes Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011

1. Ceremonial Pipes Marker

Inscription.
The pipe was central to tribal social and ceremonial life. A shared pipe sealed a friendship, a trade agreement, a treaty.

The solemn act of smoking a pipe was usually part of a group ritual or observance, such as in council, in which the pipe would be passed around the circle of participants. In many tribes, it was customary to take four puffs from the pipe before passing it on.

Because tobacco and its smoke were throught of as having great power, they were not used carelessly. Pipes usually were entrusted only to those of high status within the tribe. The pipe, its stem and tobacco were kept in animal skin pouches or in bundles containing other sacred objects.

The stone for most Plains tribe pipes came from a single quarry in Minnesota.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Communications • Native Americans • Peace.

Location. 37° 41.493′ N, 97° 20.998′ W. Marker is in Wichita, Kansas, in Sedgwick County. The marker is on the Keeper of the Plains plaza, at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers, about 500 feet ESE of the Mid-America All-Indian Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 650 North Seneca Street, Wichita KS 67203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tipis (here, next to this marker); Chiefs (here, next to this marker); Dream Animals (here, next to this marker); Eagles (here, next to this marker); Way of the Horse (here, next to this marker); Ceremony (a few steps from this marker); Warriors (a few steps from this marker); Keeper of the Plains (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wichita.

Also see . . .
1. Pipestone National Monument. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Calumet (pipe) at Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Mid-America All-Indian Center, Wichita. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Keeper of the Plains Plaza. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.

2. Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers

(l-r) Dream Animals, Tipis, Ceremonial Pipes, Chiefs, Eagles, and Way of the Horse

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.