Wichita in Sedgwick County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Ceremonial Pipes
The Ceremonial Pipe
| | Plains Indians Life, Beliefs and Practices | |
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 4, 2011
1. Ceremonial Pipes Marker
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 • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Peace.
Location. 37° 41.493′ N, 97° 20.998′ W. Marker is in Wichita, Kansas, in Sedgwick County. It can be reached from Veterans Parkway. 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.
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Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 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. The Keeper of the Plains. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 21, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Pipestone National Monument. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Calumet (pipe) at Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Mid-America All-Indian Center, Wichita. (Submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.
2. Keeper of the Plains Plaza Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 25, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 24, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
