The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-07

most powerful foe to virtue and good reso-
luton, rum, is by the most stringent laws
entirely excluded. The building of the fire
inaugurates the ceremonies, and on that
day the people assemble. From every di-
rection, on foot and on horseback, clothed
in varied costumes, they come to partici-
pate in the yearly thanksgiving, or Busking.
All day long men and women, with chill
dren of all sizes, straggle into the encamp-
ment, bringing wagons, tents, cooking
utensils, ETC., to make themselves comfort
able for the seven days they will remain
and very few luxuries suffice to make an
Indian comfortable. AS they arrive the
men separate themselves from their reti-
nues and with the most portentious gravity
and in dignified silence, walk round among
the different groups, shaking hands with
each individual 1t is but single, lifeless
shake, unaccompanied by single word of
greeting, except upon seeing white man
when they briefly but pointedly inquire,
"How ?" They bring with them, as camp
followers, score of mongrel ours whose
snarlings and snappings make amends for
the absence of vocal effort on the part of
their masters. Little attention is paid to
the women by the men, and to them falls
all the labor of putting up the TENTS gath
ering fuel and preparing the food. As the
night approaches the dancers and specta-
tors enter the sheds surrounding the enclo-
sure. At the call of the criers, the men fall
into single file and begin slowly marching
in a circle around the fire. the leader ut
tering at short intervals peculiar cultural
cries, like suppressed whoop, which is re-
sponded to by the rest with similar sounds.
AS they warm up the cries increase to
yells and the march quickens into sue
cession of short jumps, with occasional
"spurts" Of rapid walking. AS the excite
ment rises and they gradually "get up
steam" the women enter the ring and
complete the circle. The latter arrivals
bear on their ankles number of tortoise
shells filed with pebbles, the noise of
which keeps time with the movement of
their limbs, which with drum vigorously
pounded by a man seated on an elevation
near the chief, furnish the music for the
dance. Louder and faster grows the yell
ing, and now the march is a shuttle, the
arms are tossed about wildly, and there is
a unique display of fancy gymnastics. AS
they revolve, their savage howls and more
savage countenances, their disheveled hair
and uncouth gestures present spectacle
that for a while amuses the onlookers but
at length becomes wearisome, even painful.
The clamor augments, the shuffiing, hop
ping and tloundering grows more furious,
doubled, the cries become unbroken and
all the voices in unison swell into a wild,
barbarous, unmelodious chant; and this
continues until perfect exhaustion compels
them to cease, and their places are taken
by fresh dancers. This scene is repeated
constantly throughout the night or until
the chief gives the order to stop; at which
time generally all the participants are ut
terly prostrated and SO hoarse as to be in
audible. One who has,witnessed the noctur-
nal orgie will retire, not to sleep, but to lie
awake with the hideous sounds still ring
ing in his ears, and suffering the most
acute nervous distress. The second day is
devoted to performances by the gentler sex
alone, the men remaining quiescent and
fortifying themselves against the austeri-
ties Of the next day. The women array
themselves in their most gorgeous apparel,
"bravely bedecked" in calicOes of brilliant
patterns, and ribbons a-flying. They ex-
hibit the same vanity and delight in adorn-
ment of their persons for which women are
everywhere proverbial. Their faces be-
token their conviction that they appear to
advantage before their husbands and lovers.
AS they slowly file into the ring the maid
ems with downcast eyes and palpitating
bustles, the elder ladies with firm step and
heads erect, to the music of the rattles
affixed to their ankles, and the singing or
roaring of two lusty fellows detailed to
furnish vocal accompaniment to their
"o-pa-ne-tuh," the only qualification pos
sessed by them being the power Of their
lungs. 1t is pageant to excite the admi-
ration of every beholder
Their dance is similar to that Of the pre-
ceding night, except, that the vocalization
is modified, both in volume and discord-
ance. This continues all day with short
intervals for food and rest. When night
comes the men again unite with them for a
time but on this night they desist early as
they have trying day before them.
On the first and second days they are
permitted and encouraged to eat to satisfy,
several oxen being roasted and consumed.
The morning of the third day begins
fasting of twenty-four hours duration---a
total abstinence from everything except
tobacco a period Of penanee, contrition,
modification of the body and publication.
The men dance throughout the day and
night, tho women encouraging them with
dulcet vocal strains and performance upon
the harmonious tortoise shell. On this day
can be seen some striking tableaux, as lu-
dicrous to those not concerned in the for
malities as it is solemn and narrowing to
the votary.
| The 'qhre-mal1er" prepares an enormous
pot of decoction of certain roots, called
"the black drink" which is powerful
and prompt emetic. After it is brewed
gourds are hung beside it and it behooves
every man to step forward and quaff the
nauseous stuff. After the dose has had the
desired effect it is repeated and continued
during the day, although they persist in
dancing in the pendancy of ejecting the
drink Many bring TASKS with them, and,
filling from the large earthen pot, carry
them about with them and imbibe as oc-
casion demands. 1t is affecting to behold