The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-03-09
For the Democratic Press.
A CURIOUS INDIAN FEAST.

We read Of many luxurient and rare
feasts, both civil and religious, but
this one OF which purpose to give
your readers a description excels In
solemn ceremony the Hebrew Feasts
of Sabbaths, new moons,passover and
unleayen bread; of pentecost, trum-
pets, expia,ion and tabernacles, of
jubilee, purim and dedication. In
singularity it excels Pharoh's, Sol
emon's or Belshazzar's, Herod's, Vash-
it's or that Of Ahasuerus. In all the
history of Reme's luxurient and cor
ruPting feasts it has no similituds. In
devotion it exceeds the great feast to
which Casr treated his subjects at
twenty two thousand tables, and more
curious than any of those of the an
clients, described by Herodotus. That
of Lucullu's hall of Appoile, or that
at the nuptials of Richard, Earl Of
Cromwell, and Cincia, his bride, were
not more extravagant in idle parade.
1t is called the "Feast of the Souls,
and is held every eight years BY
northern tribe of Indians, in testimo-
ny of their respect for deceased reia-
lives. The day of this ceremony IL
always appointed by the Chief, and
nothing Is omitted that it may be cel-
ebrated with the utmost pomp and
.lnagnificence. The neighboring tribes
are invited to be present and join In
solemnty. At this time all who have
died since the last Feast are taken out
of their graves, those who have been
inferred away form the villages are all
diligently sought for and brought to
the great rendezvous of carcases. The
disgusting horror of this general dis
interment may be readily conceived;
but it cannot be better described than
it was done by Mr.. Lafitaa, who wit
messed it. 6. Without question tho
opening of these graves displays one
If the most striking scenes that can be
conceived, this humbiing portrait OF
human misery in so many images OF
death, wherein she assumes such vari-
Gus shapes of horror in the carcases,
according to the degreein which cor
ruption has prevailed over them.
Some appear dry aud withered, 9TH
ers have sort of parchment upon
their bones, some look as if they were
baked and smoked, without any ap-
pearance of rottenness, some are just
turning towards the point of pntrifac-
ton, whilst others are all swarminY
with worms and drowned in corrup-
ion." He says. Il know not which
ought to strike us most, the horror of
so shocking sight or the tender affec-
ion of these poor savayes toward
their departed friends; discharging
with diligence this m mslanchaly duty
of tenderness; gathering up carefully
The smallest bones, cleansing the car
eases from every thing loathesome and
carrying them upon their shoulders
through tiresome Journeys of several
lays, without suffering any other emo
ions to arise than those of regret at
having lost friends dear to them in
their lives and lamented in their
DEATH"
They carry them to their wigwams,
while they prepare feast in honor of
the dead; during which their great
,ctions are rehearsed, and the tender
intercourses which took place betw ween
hem and their friends are called to
mind. The invited guests join in the
tender coincidence, and the s9uaws by
/ piercing shyieks, demonstrate that
they are filled with the sharpest sor-
row. Then the dead bodies are car.
ried from the wigwams for the gener-
Il reinternent. A great pit is dug in
the ground, aud thither each person,
attended by bls family and friends
marches in solemn silence, bearing the
dead body of son. father or brother
When they are all convened, the dead
| bodies, or the dust of those entirely
decayed, are deposited in the pit, and
the torrent of grief breaks out anew
Whatever they possess most valuable
is inferred with the dead the stran-
gers confer such additions to these de-
posits as their generosity prompts
Then all present go down into the pit
and each one takes little of the eartl
which they ever afterwards preserve
with the most sacred care. The bOdie
ranged in order, are covered with en-
lirely new furs, over which is strewl
bark, on which is thrown stones ant
earth then taking final farewell b.
expanding the residue of shrieks ant
lamentations, they return each to hii
,wn wigwam.
II We have mentioned that these saw
! .ges offer to their dead in this feas
whatever they value most highly
This custom, says Mr.. Lafitan, "arise
from rude notion of the immortalit
, of the soul" When the soul ia seps
rated from the body of their friend'
;. they conceive that it still continues
!, aover around it, and TO require an
n leIight in the same things win wnic
. it was pleased before death. Afte
!. an indefinite time, however, it fol
,akes the mortal body and departs fs
,way TO a land of spirits, where thoi
:, who i'm their lifetime have been TO
! tunate in war. possess high Cegrs
). OF happiness, and have place Il
! hunting and fishing that never fail
q and enjoy all sensual delights, withO
i hard labor to procure them. Tho
"a souls, however, who are so unfort
~ uate as to be conquered or slain
q war, they deem extremely miserab
:. after death hence this festive cerem
n, ny, to which those 0utcast spirits mi
90 come for snstenance and sympathy.