Nature Awareness 8/31/2014 - Buffalo (American Bison) The American bison (Bison bison), also commonly known as the American Buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds. It became nearly extinct by a combination of commercial hunting and slaughter in the 19th century and introduction of bovine diseases from domestic cattle, and has made a recent resurgence largely restricted to a few national parks and reserves. Two subspecies have been described: the plains bison (Bison bison bison), smaller in size and with a more rounded hump, and the wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) – the larger of the two and having a taller, square hump. Furthermore, it has been suggested that the plains bison consists of a northern (Bison bison montanae) and a southern subspecies, bringing the total to three. However, this is generally not supported. The wood bison is one of the largest wild species of bovid in the world, surpassed by only the Asian gaur and wild Asian water buffalo. It is, however, the largest extant land animal in North America. Buffalo has long been a sacred animal to the indigenous Native American tribes, with a strong link to life and abundance. Its meat fed the people, skins were used for clothing and covering, bones and sinew were crafted as survival tools, and hooves were converted into glue. According to Lakota tradition, White Buffalo Calf Woman gave them the Sacred Pipe, promising abundance as long as they prayed to the Great Spirit and honored All Their Relations, that is, all other creations of nature. Buffalos Medicine symbolizes an honor, reverence or special love for all the things that Mother Earth offers her children. Buffalo signals a moment to reconnect with the meaning of life and the value of peace, to praise the gifts you already have, and to recognize and honor the sacredness in all paths, though they may be different than yours. Symbolism: sacredness, peace, life, abundance, connection, earth energy, honor, reverence, large presence, courage, reclamation, maternal energies, tempestuous nature.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 13:25:26 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015