The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-08-21
MAKING SIOUX WARRIORS.
How the Gentle Savage Rears his BOY
Fapooss.

How the Gentle Savage ReHrH MS 10Y
PapoOss.
Tho .chal.la, or papoose, when
born, is taken by the mother to the near
est running. stream, immersed and well
washed i'll tho cold water. On her re.
turn to the lodge the proud mother is
presented by her husband with mare
pony for his heir; the iatted dog is kill
cd, coffee boiled, bangs cooked, and the
birth feast prepared. The happy father
invites MI his male relatives and friends.
Tho tom.tom, with tho medicine rattle,
make tho music; tho guests chant n
lively melody, and dance until the feast
is served; the pipe is passed around,
and when all are helped tho father pro-
poses q toast to his wife. Each guest
congratulates the parents, and then ulto-
4ether soy: ave are all fricnds," and
drink the health Of the little stranger.
After the feastiug the dance is renewed,
and at intervals the warriors will count
their coups, the number Of horses
stolen, etc, aud present their gift to tho
parents for their child. Anything from
dog to horse will satisfy the purpose.
Tho medicine man winds mp the feastby
shaking tho rattle, demCniac yells, con.
tortions OF his body and shooting off his
gun to drive the owl spirits away, re-
ceivcs pony III fec for his services, aud
all retire. Tho initill services are over,
and tho papoose starts in life debtor to
his tribe, rs each article, animal or Other
gilt presented him must DO returned
in kind sooner or later in his lifo. So
you will SEQ that Indian gifts arc actunl-
" time loans, and must be paid by tho
receiver, or DO considered o bankrupt
and dishonored man.
The child is wrapped in skins and PIT
in kind OF elkskir coffin, and laced
around with lariat, rs they shy, to
keep his limbs straight. His mother
slings him on her back, starts to the
timber after wood, pickets her ponies,
gets her meals and attends to all her
duties. .,....
Papoose after being weaned is pro-
NOTED from his coffin cage and docked
ont in blue cloth shirt, ornamented
with elk teeth and Iroquois shells. It
reaches to his hips and has no sleeves.
Attired thus his wardrobe is complete.
In this condition he roots around the
lodge, makes mud images and swaps
graybacks for Aeas with the puppies.
His next advance is 10 (01chiilN) boy
hood, about tho age Of four. The blue
shirt is discarded, he receives q strap
and a narrow piece OF cloth to make n
breech. clout, his scalp lock is plated.
has bono sling aud long reed sticks,
which are thrown like spear; then he
is dangerous. When his mother goes
for wood she puts IN Id marc in tho
travels and straps Oxchilla to the suck
ing colt. He has his first equestrian ex-
perience. His little big Indian heart
beats rs he thinks he will soon be able
to join tho older boys in their racing,
shooting and mock fights.
One OF his ponies is rugged up with
ribbons, beaded saddle and silvcrod
bride. He is put astride and his pony
led to the lodge OF tho medicine man,
who takes him from his pony, placing
him on buffalo robo. puts a block OF
wood behind his ear, and with q sharp
knife cuts q slit in the upper rim and
bell part Of each ear. Some OF these
little boys nerve themselves for the
trial and never murmui during tho op.
Grafton. Bring in another horse and
the medicine mans heart feels good. He
will CRY ont and sing the praises Of the
boy through camp for month. The
bigger tito foe the longer and louder the
praises. 0xchilla is now given q blanket
and moccasins TO add to his brecCh-
clout; also, n knife 10 mike his bow and
arrows, and becomes bird hunter. On
killing his first bird he is allowed to
wear little downy feather, and join the
boyE in their games. In wrestling they
do not trip, slap nor bite. but before
cliuchipg will jump up and kick at each
other backwards like horse.
Their national game is shiny, which
they play with ball made out OF ante.
lope's hair. covered with buckskin. In
choosing sides three squaws arc ratod
against two bucks to make it equal.
Favorite sports with tho boys are play
ing dare, shooting at n mark, throwing
sticks ut rolling ring on tho ground.
Tho one first. succeeding in piercing it
wins the stakes. They arc inveterato
sports, and will wager any thing they can
beg, borrow or steal.
0xchilla, being good horseman now,
and persimnons on birds, is allowed to
go with his father on the hunt. II he
succeeds in killing n deer, the downey
feather is removed, and little horn put
in its plnce on the scalp lock. He as.
sists in the herd, bringing the ponies to
water, md finding good grazing for
them. His next ambition is to kill Il
buffalo. On succeeding he changes the
horn for small tail, feels some pump.
kins, and crows over the other boys.
On acquiring each Of the different
marks Of distinction l have described,
being the occasion Of great joy to OK.
chilla, ho is required to give something
away, said gift being n payment OF some
article be received ut his birth feast.
At the age Of twelve hc joins the first
war party, acting rs supernumerary,
holding tho extra horses, etc, for the
others. In going to war, tho indians
walk long distances, or ride their pack
horses, leading the war ponies, aud
never put saddle Oh them until ready
for the charge; therefore they arc fresh,
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