Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-10-31
Burial Customs of the Chippewa Indi-
ans. An Interesting Description by a
Member of the Tribe.


The Oiibway tribe or race of Indians,
KIN own by the whites as Chippewas, are
very numerous, occupying avery large
extent of country embracing the coun-
try lying on the north and south shores
of Lakes Huron, Michigan, and SUI
periOr.
Aside from the immediate neighbor-
hood Of the lakes above mentioned,
they occupy the interior of the state of
Michigan; more than one half of both
the states of Wisconsin aud Minnesota,
and the northeastern portion of Da-
kOta.
The south shore of Lake Michigan
being occupied mostly by the O-dawwa
tribe, known by the whites as Ottawas,
are descendants of the Ojibway tribe as
evidenced by speaking the same lam
guage, differing only, like all other bands
who have branched off and wandered
from the original tribe, in their dialect
and accent
Upon the vast extent of country lying
north of Lakes Huron and Superior,
even to the borders of the great Pacific,
and the Hudsons Bay, is to be found
the same tribe. speaking the same lam
guage, and like the O-dow-was have a
peculiar dialect and accent. The fact
that no especial effort has ever been
made by the government of either
country, nor by any scientist to collect
minute statistics as to habits and Gus
toms, as we'll as development of the
numerical force of the tribe in general,
is greatly to be deplored; and more par
ticularly SO of that portion who inhabit
the country remote from civilization:
the vast extent Of country belonging to
the Dominion, lying between the great
lakes and the Pacific Ocean: in the in
terror of which seldom the presence of
even the greedy fur trader is greeted,
where every civilizing influence is I'M
known, and where ignorance and super
stition reign supreme; much valuable
information is thereby denied the pub
lie and hence no reliable statement can
be procured. But this much can be
said, and relied on as a fact, that
however isolated from the main
body of the tribe one band may
have branched off and wandered from
its west-bound course; established no
material difference thereby from any of
the other bands in their habits of every
day life, modes and customs, and the
observance Of rites and ceremonies.
The mode of burial in those days of
the isolated bands, though perhaps va
rious in minute details, in main were
similar to those of the original tribe,
which was frequently dictated by the
preference of deceased Some prefer
ring to be disposed of under the ground,
while others preferred to be raised above
ground.
The mode generally adopted by the
rowing families, and observed in most
cases by those who inhabit the interior
portion of the country described in the
foregoing, was to deposit the body above
ground. The construction for this pur-
pose was of four strong and durable
posts set upright into the ground, where
on rude platform was built, elevated
from six to eight feet from the ground ;
upon this platform was placed imper-
meable material, such as cedar bark,
or birch bark and probably some of
both material, for the reception and en-
easement of the body.
The manner adopted in preparing a
corpse for burial, or for the disposition
Of tie same by raising it above ground,
was similar in every detail as adopted
by the tribe generally, throughout every
locality in the country. LIST. The
body is stripped and receives
an ablution ID The body is
sprinkled with solution Of herbs and
roots. 3D. The body is attired, the
hair combed. disentangled and braided
4th The face is colored to fancy, with
vermillion and other coloring material.
9th. All fancy articles manufactured by
the tribe, bead work of every descrip-
ton, such as necklace, carriers, wrist
bands and various other work, also all
jewehy possessed by deceased is de-
posted and fastened in its legitimate
place and order 9Th The body is then
wrapped up in blanket or other ma
terial. The face may yet be ex-
posed for a brief time, during which the
tap Of the drum with an accompani-
ment of vocal music is vehemently ex-
hibited; in which ceremony the good
Spirit is invoked safe conduite for de-
ceased through the long and labyrin-
thine paths to. the eternal hunting
grounds
The corpse Or body is then raised
and placed upon the platform where it
is encased with cedar and birch wood,
and strong cord and other material bind
and secure it from the intrusion Of wild
beasts and birds of prey All, every
thing possessed by deceased, such as
gun, bow, arrows and culver, sack which
contained clothing and trinkets, pipe,
fire steel and flint; an extra allowance of
tobacco and punk is added as indispen-
sible for the long journey, are deposited
in the same incaSement.
This mode of burial or disposing of a
body was observed by other bands of
the tribe living in the far west, but has
been entirely abandoned.
There Is probably no people that ex-
hibits more sorrow and grief for their
dead than they. The young widow
mourns the loss of her husband, by day
as by night she is heard silently sob
bing. She is constant visiter to the
place of rest With the greatest reluc-
lance she will follow the raised camp.
The friends and relatives of the Young