The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-10-13

QidnS OF North AnleficH, DObl ancient and
modern, and the disposal Of their dead |
| beg leave to request your kind cooperation
to enable me to present as exhaustive an ex-
| position of the subject as possible, and to
| this end earnestly invite your attention to
| the following points in regard to which in
| formation is desired:
| lst. Name of the tribe.
2nd. Locality.
| Srd. Manner of burial, ancient and modern.
| 4th. Funeral ceremonies.
| 9th. Mourning obseryances, if any.
T. g. z.
Washington, D. c."
The OjihwGy tribe, or race of Indians,
knswn by the whites as Chippewas, are very
numerous, occupying very large extent of
country; embracing the country living
on the north and south shores Of Lakes
Huron, Michigan and Superior
| Aside from the immediate neighborhood of
the lakes above mentioned, they occupy the
interior of the state of Michigan; more than
one half of both the states Of Wisconsin and
] Minnesots, and the Northeastern portion OF
/ Daksta.
The south shore of Lake Michigan being
occupied mostly by the o de- aa-vaw tribe,
known by the whites as 0ttawas, are descen-
dants of the 0jibway tribe as evidenced bv
speaking the same language, differing ONLY,
I 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 living
nor h of Lakes Huron and Superior, even to
| the borders of the great Pacific, and the
| Hudson's Bay. is to be found the same tribe,
| speaking the same language, and like the
/ O-dsw-waws have a peculiar dialect and ac-
s.ayar pbs C.ot II GO
ever been mace by the government Of either
country nor by any scientist to collect minute
statistics as 10 habits and customs, as well
as development of the numerical force OF
the tribe in general, is greatly 80 be deplored:
and more particularly so of that portion who
inhabit the country remote from civilization;
that vast extent Of country belonging to the
Dominion, lying between the great lakes
and the Pscifc Ocean; in the interior of
| which seldom the presence of even the
greedy Fur Trader is greeted, where every
cigilizinS influence IS unknown, and where
| ignorance and superstition reign supreme ;
much valuable Information is thereby denied
| the public, and hence no reliable statement
can be procured. But this much can be said
and relied on as fact, that however isolated
/ from the main body Of the tribe one band
| may have branched off and wandered from
! its yest-bound course established no ma
/ terlal difference thereby from any of the 9TH
| er 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 iso-
| lated bands, though perhaps various in mi
| mute details, in main we're similar to those
of the original tribe, which was frequently
dictated by the preference Of deceased
| Some preferring to be disposed of under the
ground, while others to be raised above
ground.
The mode generally adopted by the rowing
families, and observed in most cases by those
who inbsbit the interior portion of the coun-
try described in the foregoing, was to deposit
the boiv above ground The construction
for this purpose was Of four strong and dura
BILE posts set upright into the ground. where
on rude platform was built, elevated from
six 20 eight feet from the ground upon
this platform was placed impermeable ma
terial, such as cedar bark, or birch bark and
probably some Of both material, for the re-
ceptiOn and encasement of the body.
The manner adopted in preparing corpse
| for burial, or for the disposition of the same
/ by IA ising it above ground, was similar in
every detail a. adopted by the tribe generally,
throughout every locality in the country
lst. The body is stripped aud receives an
ablution. 2nd The body is sprinkled with
solution Of herbs and roots. Sd. The body is
attired, the hair comhed, disentangled and
braided. 4th. The face is coored to fancy
with vermtilion and other coloring material.
| 5th. All fancy articles manufactured by the
| tribe, bead Work OF every description, such
as necklace garters, wristbands and vafious
other work, also all jewelry possessed by
deceased is deposited and fastened in it's le-
gitlmate place and order. 9th. The body is
then wrapped up in a blanket or other ma
terial. The face may yet be exposed for a
brief time, during which the tap of the drum
with an accompaniment of vocal music is
yehemently exhibited in which ceremony
the good Spirit is invoked i safe condute for
deceased through the long and labyrinthine
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 bark, and strong
cord and other material bind ard secure it
from the intrusion cf wild beasts and birds of
prey, AL everything possessed by deceased,
such as gun, bow, arrows and qGiver, sack
which contained clothing and trinkets, pipe,
tre-steel and flint, an extra allowance OF to-
bacco and punk is added as indispensable for
the long journey ere deposited in the same
incaSement
This mode of burial or disposing Of body
was observed by other Usnds of the tribe liv-
ing in the far west, bat has been entirely
abandoned.
There is probably 10 people thst exhibit
more sorrow and grief for their dead than
they. The young widow mourns the loss of
her husband, by day as bv night she is heard
-fla Fx- oil
TO the place of rest. With the greatest re-
The friends and relatives Of the young mourn
er will incessantiy devise measures to detract
her mind from the thought of her lost hus-
band. She refuses nourishment, but as ma
ture ia exhausted she is prevailed upon to
partake of food; the supply is seant, but on
every occasion the best and largest proper
ton is deposited upon the grave Of her nus.
band. In the meantime the female relatives
of the deceased, have according to custom
submitted to her charge a parcel made up
of different cloths ornamentcd aith bead
work and eagles feathers, which she IS charg
ed to keep by her side, the place made va
cant bv the demise of her husband. q remind
er of her widowhood. She is therefore for q
term Of twelve moons not permitted TO wear
any 6nery. neither is she permitted TO slcken
Up and comb her head, this, to avoid attract
ing attention Once in while a female rel
ative of deceased, eommiserating with her
grief and sorrow, will visit, and voluntarily
proceed to comb out tie long neglected and
matted hair With a jealous eye yigiialt
watch is kept over her conduct during the
term of her widowhood, 1et, she IS allowed
the privilege to marry anytime during her
wIdowhood an unmarried brother, cousin, or