The scarcity of white bison will make many people think that they are not real and only exist in legends, because most of us have never seen them.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, the proportion of albino bison is only about 1 in 10 million, so it’s no wonder these legendary animals have become one of the gods of Native American communities. Seeing a white bison in the wild is an exceptionally rare phenomenon, and traditionally white bison are viewed by many original inhabitants of the Americas as a symbol of benevolence and lucky.

This concept originates from a legend of the Lakota tribe 2,000 years ago (also known as the Sioux) about Pte Ska Win or Ptesanwi, the goddess depicted with an image of a young woman accompanying her. a white American bison. Not only the Lakota, many other Native American communities also worship and worship the god Ptesanwi. This goddess is considered the embodiment of the power of nature, the messenger of the Heroic Ones, and the guardian deity that helps the Indian tribes overcome difficulties.

However, why was the white bison considered a symbol of goodness to Native Americans? The American Indian College Fund reports that the story of the great white bison spans many generations, and it dates back to the people of the Lakota tribe.

Legend has it that, before leaving the Lakota tribe to return to heaven, the god Ptesanwi told him that whenever a white bison was born, it was a harbinger of the goddess coming again, bringing harmony and peace. blessings to the world. After that, the god Ptesanwi walked four times around his tent, then turned into a white cow and disappeared into the clouds. Just as the goddess left, a huge herd of bison suddenly appeared around the village of the Lakota tribe.

According to legend, from time immemorial, the Lakota people participated in a traditional ceremony of the seven fires of the sacred assembly. However, in the summer, a sudden drought caused the land to dry up and the tribes found it more difficult than ever to find food. Then, two young tribesmen volunteered to go into the wilds of South Dakota to hunt. While they were searching, they saw a figure in the distance. As they approached, the person appeared to be a beautiful woman.

The woman then advised them to “return to the people of the tribe” and wait for her arrival, although no one knew where she really came from or what these words meant. However, she then appeared before the people of the Lakota tribe who were in danger of starving and presented them with a sacred pipe.

She taught them about the mysteries of the world, the connection between all things living and dead, and about the clear truth of life. Legend has it that the woman then fell to the ground and rolled over and over four times before turning into a white bison and disappearing forever.

A herd of bison also suddenly appeared after her disappearance, and the Lakota people were saved by the meat of this herd. Since then, they have considered the great white groves sacred, bringing salvation and promise, as the American Indian College Fund says.