Crazy Horse in Custer County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Death Song
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 30, 2025
1. Death Song Marker
This sculpture, entitled "Death Song" by sculptor, Ernest Berke, depicts a Western Lakota warrior, who was a member of the Miwa'tani Society. This society was a branch of the highly developed military society, known as the Akicita, which means "warrior" in Lakota. The Miwa'tani Society had only twenty members. The warrior is standing beside his exhausted pony preparing to do battle, singing his "Death Song" in preparation for his eminent death. His sash is pinned to the ground with a small wooden lance.
As was custom of the society in times of desperate battles, specific chosen members called "sash-wearers" would stake themselves to the ground in the face of an enemy attack. In this way they were defending their fallen brethren in battle, rather than submitting to their enemy. These sash-wearers were honor bound and committed to remain staked into the ground until they were either killed, or another member of the society freed them. Under no circumstances could the warrior pull out the lance and retreat. A retreat would bring scorn from fellow warriors. Only exceptional performance in battle would allow another warrior to remove the lance and permit the sash wearer to escape.
"Death Song" was presented to Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation August 14, 2004, by Mr. Phillip Satre, Chairman of the Board, Harrah's
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 43° 49.702′ N, 103° 37.912′ W. Marker is in Crazy Horse, South Dakota, in Custer County. It is on Avenue of the Chiefs 0.7 miles north of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the right of the main entrance to the Indian Museum of North America. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12159 Ave of the Chiefs, Custer SD 57730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Black Hills, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 9-11 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Scale Model of Crazy Horse (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Hearst Highway (approx. Ύ mile away); Crazy Horse Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Landscapes & Logging (approx. 2.2 miles away); Everything changes, or does it? (approx. 2.3 miles away); A Changing Landscape (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Needles Eye (approx. 4.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crazy Horse.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 30, 2025
2. Death Song Marker and sculpture in front of the Indian Museum of North America
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 30, 2025
3. Death Song sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
