Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-25
INDIAN WAR DANCE.

An Indian war-dance is important incident in the
passing events of village the whole population
be, and feast is provided all. The warriors are
painted and prepared as for battle. A post is firmly
planted III the ground, and the singers the druncrs and
the other Instrumental 'npscians, seated within tn.
circle formed By the dancers aud the spectaoIs The
music and the dance begin. The exert themselves
with great eusgy Every muscle is in action and be is
the mos, perfect concord between the their
movements They hrandish their weapons and suc,
apparent fury, that fatal idcns una voidabe-
Presently warrior leaves the CIRCLE and with his tuna
howk enssste strikes the post The dancing
ceases and profound silence He then reccun,s
with loud voice, his military achievements lie describes
the battles lie has fought the prisoners he has captured the
sca's he has taken He points his wounds, and prod
ces his trophies He accompanies his NARRATIVES with the
actual representation Of his exploits and the mimic
mcnt, the advance and the retreat, are exhibited 10 his
nation as they really occurred There 10
ana no misrepresentation. 1t would be Infamous for n
warrior tn boast Of deeds he never rc.ioncd If tho
tempt were made, would approach and throw
dirt IN his face saying. Il DO this your shame, for
the first time you enemy you will ,rcmblc.' Bot
such an ndsnity is ratey and the par
ties generally contain many individual the
conduct of every warrior well known. Shouts of
ause accompany the naration proportoned in duration
and intensity the interest i, exces. His station
circle is thcn resumed by the actor, the proceeds
Ill 1t is interrupted in u similar manner.
In the poem Of Ontwa, scene like this is so well DESERT
bed, that Cannot resist the temptation transfer il to
our pages UT al who have attempted embody song
the living manners of the Inan the anonymous author
OF that poem has been most successful His
and traditions, and descriptions, spirit nd bearing
of life, and the Whole work less to nature than
To poetry:
~ hundred woriiurs advance,
All dressed and painted for the dance,
And sounding club and hollow siiu
Slow and measured time begin;
With rigid limb aid sliding foot
And mulmors low, the time suit,
Forever varying with the sound
Tie circiimg band moves round and rcunu
Now slowly rise the swelling notes,
When every crest more lively foats,
Now tossd on high with gesture proud,
Then lowy mid the circle bow'd
While Changing arms grow louder still,
And every voice becomes more shrill,
I'LL fierce and strong the clamor grows
and the wild hoop bids it close.
Then starts Shuuktoiga forth whose band
Game far from Iturons storm beat strand
And thus recounts his battle feats,
While his dalk club the measure beats,
But This scenic representation must not he copfound.t
with the ordinary Indian warsungs, which are sung y be
Warriors when leaving their villages upon hostile
son. and whenever, during the march, the eycitemen,
music is necessary 10 stimulate tie party encounter r
agmes or dangers of the expedition The chief varrio
commences the song and after its lion, he is
with the weil known exclamation act, g from a II ,r
WARRIORS .i6sNs american R1,iev.