Škáŋ

Škáŋ (Tákuškaŋškaŋ, 'that which moves'), the Sky, is the third Superior God and in many of Walker's accounts the supreme animating power — the source of all motion and energy, who gives to every being its spirit and breath. He is the great judge among the gods, settling their quarrels and decreeing the order of the cosmos. He created the Wind (Tȟaté) as his companion and is the father of the mediator Wóȟpe.

Children

• Wóȟpe

Domains

• sky
• motion and life
• spirit and breath
• justice and judgement

Powers

• impart motion, energy, and spirit to every being
• judge among the gods and decree the order of the cosmos

Epithets

• Tákuškaŋškaŋ Lakota · Takuskanskan · namethat which movesJames R. Walker, Lakota Belief and Ritual (primary)

Relations

• father of: WóȟpeWóȟpe, the Falling Star and Mediator, is the daughter of Škáŋ; Walker's informants name her father as Škáŋ and call her 'of the star people.'Walker, Lakota Belief and Ritual (1980); Lakota Myth (1983) (secondary)
• creator of: TȟatéŠkáŋ created Tȟaté (the Wind) to be his companion and helper; Tȟaté is reckoned the associate of Škáŋ.Walker, Lakota Myth (1983); Lakota Belief and Ritual (1980) (secondary)

Sources

• existence: Walker, The Sun Dance and Other Ceremonies of the Oglala (AMNH 16, 1917) (secondary); Walker, Lakota Belief and Ritual (DeMallie & Jahner eds., 1980) (secondary); Powers, Oglala Religion (1977) (secondary)