The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions

I used this book to write a final paper in one of my senior courses and I cannot begin to tell you how informative that it is. I had read other books that claim to be "ethnographic" and first hand accounts, and this book made me realize how often these other books are biased. Paula Allen had me laughing with her whit and she is not only very educated, but also understands the language and sets the record straight on how these tribes really functioned. It is inspiring and gives me hope. Her book is referenced in many other books that I've read, and I have yet to come across anything that beats her book. Great book to read if you are interested in Anthropology, Native American culture, feminism, matriarchies, spirit people, lesbians and gays, traditions, Gynocracy, poetry, myths, and rituals to name just a few topics she discusses. This text is very comprehensive and does not get boring. Basically if you want to know how matriarchal societies actually function and where the bias lies in history, this has quite a bit of information on the topic.

This white feminist found The Sacred Hoop eye-opening and mind-expanding. While I cannot presume to be able to truly understand tribal thinking, I nonetheless found the concepts and philosophies described here to be completely pertinent to my place in existence. I am struggling to realize my place in a multifaced, complex web-world and have never felt comfortable with the typical feminist need to stand out in the foreground. It is also very empowering to see that there have been many versions of woman-based cultures. Unlike those in Crete, for example, tribal cultures were fully functioning in North America less than 500 years ago! It is unfortunate (though not at all surprising, given the difficulty of writing about concepts in the language of the patriarchy) that this gospel of hope and renewal is not reaching many, many people--especially our young people in colleges and universities. Don't take this wrong, Paula Gunn Allen, but you go, girl!

Excellent book, even more timely today than when it was written 33 years ago. If you care about our Mother Earth, if you want to know why the Native women are at the forefront of all the movements to protect our environment, and where their courage and commitment comes from - and especially if you'd like to have that courage and commitment in your own life. please buy this book! Read it over and over and over again, every time you feel you need to be reminded of the wisdom within it, and to be remotivated.

Paula Gunn Allen was an amazing writer that shared her life as a Native Woman and was a loss to to communities when she passed. Her stories were filled with lessons to be learned by her readers!

Paula Gunn Allen was referenced in two Native American courses that I took for my Masters in English. I wanted to read more about her studies, and this book did not disappoint me! I purchased it for the article entitled "The Sacred Hoop" but got so much more.

Great read. The Sacred Feminine is calling to our world at this time. She needs to be rediscovered and honored.

I lost the first copy and had to buy it again so I could finish reading it. So far it has been a wealth of information, anyone needing to learn more about the female side of Native Traditions should check this book out.

I love this book!

Bought as required reading for Uni, really interesting book. It arrived in new condition, with good packing and fast delivery. Thanks.

A classic, helpful for those wanting to learn about ceremony and traditions.