Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-09-29
5 Peculiar heliglOu-Norship OF the
M0quis indians.
From the Dessre. News.

Tue Noquois occupy SIX villages located
some distance south OF the Colorado river.
Elder Hatch estimates the number of in,
habitants at about 000 Valpie is the
name OF the principal village. They differ
from Indians generally, having dark brown
hair and eyes instead OF black, and dark
skin, but not unprecedented. Their rel.
gion cannot be strictly called iio.atrous, rs
they DO not worship images, but consider
them the representations OF ideas, Their
religious rites ana c5remOni appear to be
simple, and at least harmless IN their ten,
denotes. They call their deity "Tow-wan-
e.na, or sun Father They believe that
he governs that orb, and has the dlspeas-
iug OF his blessings OF light and
heat This god is represented by
an image made OF wood and stone,
three generations ago. This parsonage
now resides in the heavens, from which he
dlspenses the blessings OF lite, and espec,-
Tally those Of ram and fruitful seasons upon
the faithful. Il his children are not hlu.
bic and ohedleLt. ne Furnishes them Oy
Withdrawing his blessings. Ine H0w-we~
oua, or sacred temple, Is he head workshop
OF the village, but at the time o: religious
ceremonies il is vacated by tAa layOre-s,
and used exclusively fol sacred perform.
anceS The representative o. their deity
sits entbroned on "a rude pai-sra. ii .le
north end Of the building, Its head aad
breast are decorated with costly beads an
feathers, aud strings Of sacred sea.sLe.ls,
which We're worn by tneIr fathers who
came from the se2sLore, The eyes Of the
image are directed t. the L LdGle of the
floor, where are placed wooden IN
ages OF all kinds Of domestic fowls,
such Us doves, chickens Gc. These
images are painted and decorated with
feathers N Imitation Of nature BY the
side oftlese images OF fowls axe placed the
skins of wild beasts, hung on a pole Of the
musical plant, among these, tLlt OF the
fox predominates, O. that animal Is con-
sidered more sacred than others. Corn
and water are placed before the fowls. Ia
worshippiug their deity, the mon form in
rows in front OF the image and speak and
sing IN its praise, accompanied bY the
music OF rude Instruments, among which
was a obviously constructed flute, which
hau descended to the n from their fore.
fathers. There was but one religious oere-
nony In which the women Joined the men.
I The head workshop is the great central
4 place of worship IL village, but there are
other minor ones. The principal religious
ceremonies take place in the mouth of
/ February
In the centre Of tue village is a public
square, where there is wide stone altar,
about two feet high and three feet square.
/ On tAis sacrifices OF loo1 are laid on sacrsd
| days Among these offerings is q small
! bgcGsa!n sack containing holy meal.
Around this altar men dance u rotation.
Duriugthis ceremony tbs aged men and wo-
men OF the village caAe a pinch 5ttae holy
meal breathe Oh il sprinkle t,ls on the
dancers, and throw a little to the west
EAST, north aui south, This is the signal
for the dance II break up. Ine ideas and
! principles Of the religion are em.nen.ly
/ Unitarian. They dictate al. the relations
Of lite They g-,giously abhOr az lnio.
/ len. man, and ogier IS tie FIRST law Of every
household and J:e7e.y public Institution
aud ceremony, They euiotce habits Of
industry by pra2-p., Example and exA0rta'
j ton. Charity is one o. .1a leading prll.
4 eip,e5 of their religion The industrious,
/ poor or the sick aal helpless mus. be I'M.
1 ply provided by the contributors Of The
more for ,luatt,