Waukheon
Encyclopedia
Wakíŋyaŋ is a Lakota
(Teton Sioux) word for "thunder" (Lakota wa can be translated with 'people, things' and kiŋyaŋ means 'to fly').
In a mythical context, the word is taken to mean "Thunder Spirit", "Thunder beings," or "Thunder birds" created by Inyan
(the first of the superior Gods; he existed before the beginning) to be his companion. Some suggest that Wakinyan is an active principle of Inyan
that survived after he became stone, and through which he can still influence events in the Spirit world and the waking world.
Lakota language
Lakota is a Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribes. While generally taught and considered by speakers as a separate language, Lakota is mutually understandable with the other two languages , and is considered by most linguists one of the three major varieties of the Sioux...
(Teton Sioux) word for "thunder" (Lakota wa can be translated with 'people, things' and kiŋyaŋ means 'to fly').
In a mythical context, the word is taken to mean "Thunder Spirit", "Thunder beings," or "Thunder birds" created by Inyan
Inyan
In Lakota mythology, Íŋyaŋ was the first of the superior gods. He existed before the beginning. He then created Maka and gave it the spirit Makȟá-akáŋl , the second of the superior gods and a part of Íŋyaŋ. Creating Maka required most of Inyan's blood, which was blue, to form a great disk,...
(the first of the superior Gods; he existed before the beginning) to be his companion. Some suggest that Wakinyan is an active principle of Inyan
Inyan
In Lakota mythology, Íŋyaŋ was the first of the superior gods. He existed before the beginning. He then created Maka and gave it the spirit Makȟá-akáŋl , the second of the superior gods and a part of Íŋyaŋ. Creating Maka required most of Inyan's blood, which was blue, to form a great disk,...
that survived after he became stone, and through which he can still influence events in the Spirit world and the waking world.