The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-11-15

DIR. Williams.
DAKOTA CEaENoNiEs-E1fiag Rar
Fish--Hearing that the Dakotas were
about 10 90 throngh tins ceremony. we
proceeded to the spot. A short distance
from the village an irregular oval space,
about - feet long and ID vide was en-
closed by row Of willow bushes stuck
in the ground Near the centre of this
space we're two fish, fresh caught, which
Nigh, weigh 10 or Ii pounds apiece
One was Of the kind called Buffalo fish,
watch lay upon Il bunch Of green fern.
The other was catfish, and lay upon
some dried grass. Several bushes were
put in the ground near the fish, so as to
form n slight arbor over them. At one
end OF tle space was Dakota tent, made
- of skins sewed together, with an opening
into the enclosure. Within the tent u
number of men could be seen beating
small rude drums, and singing Ha-yeh-
yeh-yeh, Ha-yeh-yeh-yeh; Ho-wo-wo-
wo, Ho-wo-wo-wo Presently six men
and three boys came out of the tent,
with their bodies beut, their long hair
hanging over their faces, moving side
wise around the enclosure, the forepart
of their bodies Ill the time turncd to the
fish. They cndeavorod TO keep time
with ,he music BY the motion OF their
bodies as well as their feet.
After some time tall man, about go
years Of age, painted black all over,
made his appearance. He had small
hoop in each hand, by means Of which,
he walked like a quadruped, all the while
both by moti,n aud voice, milnic.Sinc the
black bear. He soon entered the enclo-
sure. passed around among the dancers.
as If in search Of something. Drawing
near Inc f;sh, he struck the ground with
enc Of tie hoops, as # to ascertain
whether. anything dangerous was con-
cealed about the place. While he was
thus engaged, two more made their ap-
pearance within the space, having then
bodies smeared over with white clay
One of these vas equipped like the first
and represented grizzly bear. Tho
other had two short sticks in his hands
iox's tail suspended from his breed
cloth, and, With his BODY beat, initiated
the WOLF y piece of clcth wound arount
the middle. called hr1ech cloth, was
me only article Of clothing worn by any
of the dancers in this scene. Some o
The dancers were painted with charcoal
and others with yer3niiii0n. The music
and dancing were kept up two Or tire,
hours, during which time the bears ano
wolf entered several times into the Ell
closure, passing round among the dan
GERS. without seeming to notice them
paving the ground, snuiiing and blowing
at the fish, and then retiring. Finally
one of the bears, crouching upon hi
knees and elbows, laid his wrists upoI
one of the fish. and. after growing Owe
If. tore oh piece with his teeth, and
rising again upon his hoops ard feet
moved round ohamping it, The cthc
bear soon began on the other fish III th'
same manner. The wolf and dancer
soon followed. They ate all, fins, bone
and scales, except the large bones i'll th'
back. biting it Off with their teeth, ant
occasionally snatching it from Gael
others mouth in the same manner. No
particle was touched by their hands
This scene is considered an act of wor
ship, Part of the worship was address
.edto stone, the size of mans head
painted red, and placed within the enclo
sure. They also prayed to the spirits o
the fish The design was said to be t.
procure change of weather from damn
and windy, to warm sunshine. The time
selected, was the last of May, when sucl
a change was likely to occur soon.