The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-10-29
harious 1flatters.
From he Syraense Star.
Indian Ceremonies ;if OnOndaga.-
The Green Corn Dance

. -. ~s ''ie" bhoe pOiAiVb III OnD"u"5u
Indians. termed by their Christian brelb-
reD the Pagan Party, the religious cere-
monies and festivals observed from lime
lmmemoria by the Indian tribes compri.
sing the Six Nations, are still faithfully
adhered to. These ceremonies are all
of religious nature, and intended as the
Indians thanksgiving to the Great Spir-
it for blessings received. There are FIVE
of these meetings in the course Of the
year, the first of which is held in Janu-
airy, and continues ten days. On this oc.
casion the ceremony termed "the burn
ing of the t0hite dog."is performed For
the sacrifice, dog Of the purest white
only is acceptable. Preparatory 80 the
final ceremony, the animal is gorgeously
arrayed in tinsel and ribbon ofvarious col
ors. After the lapse of two or three
days, the dog is strangled (great care
being observed not TO have drop Of
blood spilled J and his body given TO the
fame. The second meeting is in June,
aud is termed the Strawberry Ddnce.-
This holds but one day. In July the
Bean Dance takes place, which likewise
holds but one day, In September and
October. the Green Corn Dance and the
Harrest Dance are held both continuing
four days The meetings in January
and September are of much the greatest
interest, and are generally well attended
not only by the indians on the Reserva-
ton, but frequently by visiting parties
from the Senecas and Tonawandas.
At the January, September and Octo-
ber meetings, names are given to all the
children born in the tribe, during the
year. This ceremony can only be per-
formed at the meetings, which are con
tinued four or more days.
The Christian party do not, of course
participate at all in the exarcises-nor
do they interfere with them in any man
ner. The two divisions are nearly equal
in number; the anti.christians, perhaps
being somewhat the most numerous.
The Green Corn Dance commenced
on Thursday last, and closed on Sunday.
A deputatiom was expected from the SEN
ecas, but owing to some cause, they did
not arrive. Large numbers of the whites
were present on each day, to witness the
novel and exciting ceremonies.
The Dance was held at the Council
roomonthe Reservation about eight miles
south of Syracuse. The Council Room
is an ordinary outbuildipg. one story high
painted white. 80 feet in length. and 20
feet wide. On arriving at the room, a
bout 2 o'clock on the last day. our party
were freely admitted to the timer lem
ple," without money and without price.
Seated upon the benches around the room
were large numbers of the tribe. male
and female-the gray-lIaired and feeble
veteran. whose very expression seemed
to tell of singing recolections ofthe pow
er aud glory which once belonged to the
Onondagas, but now forever departed
the middle-aged, sedate and seemingly
annoyed at the too close scrutiny Of the
white visitors and the young. full of life
exceeding all others in the alacrity Of
their movements, as well in zeal and en-
shusiasm. Several of the Squaws who
alternately led the dances, were, we
should Judge, nearly 81 years of age
II would be difficult task to convey
to the reader correct idea of the char
acter Of the dances. The first one that
came off during our visit was participa-
ted in by the females exclusively. A
bench, some six or eight feet in length,
was placed in the centre of the space oc-
cupied by the dancers, upon which two
young men seated themselves, facing
each other, who sung and beat time on
two small drums. One squaw commen.
ced the dance; then another, and finally
all present, not excepting the smallest
children who were able to walk. Form
ed in single file, the company danced a
round the bench. The dancers stood
without any reference TO size or position
of each other: and the step was plinci-
pally quick and violent raising of either
foot. accompanied BY various motions by
the hands and fingers. The counteuan-
ces Of all wore very grave expression
The next dance was joined by all. male
and female. The drums were disposed
of, and the whole party joinedin song
Tor rather repetition of certain Indian
words) as they danced up and down the
room. The squaws formed close TO each
other, facing the interior of the circle,
while the men formed the outer circle by
themselves. This dance was prolonged
for nearly an hour.
But the war dance was the most in
teresting of all not so much on account
Of the movements ofthe dancers as their
costumes They had evidently studied
to avoid anything like uniformity. Each
one appeared as widely different as pos
sible; and not a few we're tastefully dress.
ed. Belts worked with beads, head
dresses, horse hair, tinsel, leather of va
rious colors, paints, &C., to the end of q
long catalogue, were brought in requsi-
Iion to grace and delight the Var Dame
In the hands of each warrior was rep
resentation Of some weapon of war-h
some halchet, in others an arrow, an
other bow, &c. Thus accoulcred, the
Indians place themselves in order on the
floor, and listen attentively to speech
in Indian dialect from their Chief. A
the conclusion of this, the whoop. or vel
is given by the head men, and Responded
lto Inv the vvhola Marty vhen the dance