The Sioux Indians were victims of one of the bloodiest settlements ever known, as a result of their impressive resistance even after being defeated militarily, yet they decided to maintain their own customs and values, including the virtues of character they identified.
For the Sioux Indians these virtues of character are very important, each of them is a pillar on which they build their culture, so even today, they remain in force and are transmitted from generation to generation.
- “Generous to the last bite.
- Without fear of hunger.
- Suffering and death.
- He was undoubtedly a kind of hero.
- Not “having.
- ” but “being “was his national motto.
- ” Charles Alexander Eastman?.
Perhaps it is precisely these virtues of character that they continue to cultivate with such zeal, that have allowed them to be preserved as culture, all mark an ideal of being and are unequivocally promoted in the process of private and collective education. are as follows.
Sioux Indians value the word. They don’t think communication should be taken lightly, people talk to really say something, not on a whim or to vent internal instability.
Therefore, one of the virtues of character that they carefully cultivate is silence. Close most of the time and speak only when needed.
This applies especially to communication with the elderly, who do not speak to them if it is not strictly necessary, you learn from them by listening to them and watching them act.
In Sioux culture, romantic love is important, but universal love is even more important, this love makes each of them feel like a member of the community and is willing to do everything in their power to protect it.
Friendship is the most evolved expression of love. This is because it is a selfless feeling, requiring nobility and loyalty.
The Sioux claim that “friendship is the most severe proof of character. “The friend is a brother for which we can give life, if necessary.
Respect for the Sioux is a way to name two great virtues together: respect and gratitude. They believe that everything that exists is inhabited by a “great mystery”, that is, each of the existing things and beings has an essence that is impossible to understand.
This ignorance is a source of respect. Nature and all living things deserve to be treated with consideration, everything we value, such as food, cannot be used without first thanking us for the service they provide us.
For this wonderful community, attachment to the property only brings sadness and limitations, so they promote generosity in all its forms, they believe it brings luck and happiness. Everyone should try to do their best and what they have.
Thus, it is very common for other members of the community to give the winners everything they have.
They can even end up with nothing to give themselves. This is well regarded and celebrated. They also usually organize banquets and invite the elderly or neediest.
A role model for the Sioux is someone who shows courage in all the trials of life, no matter if he is a man, a woman or a child, if he is brave, everyone admires him and wants to be like him or her. .
Since they were children, the Sioux have learned that courage is necessary to evolve and maintain dignity in all circumstances.
One of the great virtues of the character of the Sioux is courage, and the main characteristic of this courage is the ability to control itself. For them, the bravest is not the most aggressive, but the most strategic: the one who faces risks with intelligence and peace of mind.
For Westerners, chastity is no longer a virtue. Rather, it is considered a limitation or a defect. However, for Sioux culture, this was one of the great virtues of character, for they valued the court and loving conquest.
Young people had to demonstrate their ability and courage to be chosen by a girl. Chastity was a test of character and self-control, but it was reserved not only for women, but also for men, they assumed that sexual union should lead to a long life. term bonds.
As you can see, the Sioux have a whole philosophy of life that has certainly been of great help in the difficult social processes they have gone through. Perhaps these virtues of character can also contribute to those who live in a reality where great values have become more and more. Obsolete.