Talk:Heyoka

this page needs...
this page needs new stubs for each of the distinct usages of the word "heyoka"...

no love for the Lakota?
hi all,

in it's current format, this page really marginalizes the significance of 'heyoka' as many scholars recognize the word. it's primary connotation is not some obscure french punk band, but rather the concept of a sacred clown in lakota indian culture. i had made this change a while ago, only to find that it had been re-edited to appear as a mere footnote. this is troubling. the concept of a 'heyoka' is an important one, and not just a passing origin story for the name of a now-defunct frech band. please respect the importance of this cultural concept! it deserves (at least) it's own independent stub. please refrain from re-editing it!

Lesotho 14:29, 9 April 2006 (UTC)

I agree with that. Heyoka is a sacred word and should not be used lightly. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.86.180.171 (talk • contribs)

Finally, I see that you are showing respect to the Heyoka in the Lakota Native American culture. It seems a bit odd that you would first denote a cartoon character before the true definition of the word Heyoka. Who is the Bean guy anyway that is so important to come before the 1000 year old tradition???

You mean 2,000 years.Johnlekay 04:09, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Yes at least it has the real meaning unnderneith.

I would like to propose a change. Sacred clowns may apply to many cultures, but Heyoka is a Lakota shaman. There is a distinction. Johnlekay 03:33, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

totally agree to not merge
hi all,

thanks for the excellent discussion and a very big THANK YOU to Johnlekay re-wrote the Heyoka article. i was beginning to think that i was the only one who cared! i'll contribute to and expand the heyoka article this weekend (to the best of my ability). i fully agree that heyoka should exist as a distinct concept from 'sacred clown', which is a less specific designation (as another wikipedian on this thread has already suggested).

thanks!

Lesotho 04:01, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

You are very welcome and I agree with that. Johnlekay 04:57, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

Question about Heyoka and Hayoka
Is the Lakota Heyoka in any way related to the concept of the "Hayoka" as presented in The Highlander tv series? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coltec

Coltec was a Cahokia and became a "Hayoka", which he claims is a type of medicine man who can rid the world of evil by absorbing it into himself. He can use this to "heal" others of their emotional pain by absorbing their hatred, pain, and similarly undesirable emotions. It was explained that "Hayokas" protect their tribes by, effectively, heading off evil before it can affect the tribe.

I'm just curious about this. The "Hayoka" concept of healing was very intriguing to me.

Skiswope 17:29, 24 March 2007 (UTC)

Just a simple question how many "hayoka" in one tribe? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 165.83.132.248 (talk) 16:34, 28 November 2015 (UTC)

Grass Dancer
I've never left a comment on Wikipedia before, so excuse this if it's done improperly. Anyway, I'm very sure heyoka is referenced in many mediums, but I do recall its reference in Susan Power's Grass Dancer. There are more colleges assigning more Native American literature, and this is, in my opinion, one of the idea of a sacred clown is one of the most intriguing, most moving concepts I've come across. If, perhaps, students reading that particular book (which does indeed explain it quite well, but, as we all know, students are big fans of the easily digested information of a wiki page) could be redirected here, I feel it'd be for the better.

(I think I posted this in the wrong place the first time, trying again; please excuse my wikignorance)

(Edit: well, I at least saw how to make this a section of it's own. Quitting before I mess anything up.)

Reference request
If anyone wants to suggest a reading list to use as references to expand this article, I will read it and do so. "Woo woo woo woo, Woo woo woo woo". PPdd (talk) 20:46, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Big Problems
I'm not a big fan of this article, and it has systemic issues. It starts out okay, but the last half seems to be taken from an essay on the subject and is poetic rather than encyclopedic. There is only one citation to support the assessments. It is also redundant to other articles like Contrary (social role) and Clown society. This article should be re-written by a subject matter expert to fit an encyclopedic style. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 150.113.8.138 (talk) 18:12, 4 October 2012 (UTC)

Servent of GOD
Long ago leader's were not chosen by other's, nor by them selves. They became what they were by being who they were. Heyoka are chosen to be heyoka because of who they are. The great spirit (the great mystery, the sky father...GOD) chooses a person and sends one of his other children (As GOD made the Angel's so did he make Thunderbeing's, Thunderbird and meny other being's) to show that person they are know Heyoka. Simply by being who they are a person can be seen as being worthy of becoming a Heyoka. But just because you act silly, funny and walk backwerds does'nt mean you are a Heyoka. You must be seen as worthy by the creater, chosen and been sent the messenger of GOD (Thunderbeing, Thunderbird)that shows you are to be Heyoka.

Heyoka is a tool of GOD on earth. And no tool is a tool until it is being used. There are stories of Heyoka doing "magical" thing or having strong medicine(healing, shapeshifting... etc). But no Heyoka has any power to do anything without GODS blessing of their actions. And not every Heyoka is allowed to use the same "abilities". Through the Heyoka GOD does his work. Helping humanity with laughter and satire is a Heyoka being who they are, but with better undersanding through seeing the world with trueth showen by GOD. But when the "magical" thing happens it is GOD using his tool. As GODS power was showen through Moses, so is GODS power showen through a Heyoka. And just as any tool can break, so can a Heyoka no longer be a Heyoka. If the honor and responsability of being a Heyoka is dishonored by the Heyoka or a command from GOD not followed, then GOD shall no longer use his tool and they are only a simple person once again.

There are much more to the Heyoka. Just because they are called sacred clowns does'nt mean they go around trying to make everyone laugh or are always acting like baffoons. They are above humanity yet benieth them at the same time. Loud but silent. They help giud people without them knowing they are being giuded.

I've never done this before so sorry for my spelling everyone.

Also featured in
Longmire S2:E6 "Tell it Slant" - Xitit (talk) 06:14, 23 July 2016 (UTC)

Understanding
I would like to read what a actual Heyoka Lakota has put into words about what he feels is his purpose and some examples of how he would handle and play out different encounters with other people of his tribe and how it then later affected them in their lives. 2601:483:0:11C0:A5B2:747F:8493:2C0E (talk) 02:29, 8 March 2022 (UTC)