The New York herald., 1879-07-07
ToRTUREs INFLICTED UPON THEMSELVES BY
THE YOUNG BRAVES.

THE YOUNG BRAVES.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July G, 1870.
letter received at the Interior Department from
DR.. II. Woodbridge, Agency Physician for the Fort
Peck Agency, gives the following graphic description
of the annual "sun dance Of the Sioux nation,
which took place Poplar River in Montana
Territory, about two weeks ago:-
have just witnessed the great Indian festival of
the '.sun dance or worship of the sun. Great
preparations had been made for it and everything
the grandest scale. The city of lodges
moved and the Indians encamped on a beautiful
plain enclosing hollow square large enough for the
movements of thousands of horsemen. In the
centre the great pavilion or medicine lodge
erected, 150 feet in diameter the outside formed of
small posts of green poplar and willow. thickly in
terwoven with green branches. Resting on this and
on a rude framework within, all around for about
twenty feet the space covered with buffalo skins,
forming the dress circle with places assigned to
musicians and actors or dancers. In the centre
the great medicine pole, fifty feet high. The diameter
of the central space--about one hundred feet--was
open to the broad sunlight. Only the men occupied
the deep circle whore they feasted during the
performs nee OF twenty gh continuous hours dur
ing which time about forty dogs were inundated and
eaten, besides large quantities of buffalo meat wild
turnip heads and hot cauldrons OF other eatables
that nameless. The audience was composed of
about five thousand Indians. but MS only the men
occupied the circle within. the common people.
women and boys had to be satisfied by viewing the
performances through the wide entrance through
the nterstices in the leafy barriers All had their
holiday attire the dresses of some OF the chiefs and
those acting directors or priests were gorgeous.
THE DANcERs-ToRrURKs INFLICTED
When all prepared, amid the waving of ban
ners, music and the loud shouting OF the assembled
throng, fifty braves entered. each an Apollo,
painted and naked to the waist, except protusion
of ornaments, with headdresses of beautiful
feathers. their black. glossy hair reaching down
their lower garments. which were most beautifully
and artistcallv arranged Each carried III his hand
ornamental whistle made from the bone of
eagles wing. which was blown shriliy during the
dancing. Each also carried bouquet. composed
mostly of the wild sage. Their appearance and
ccption were grand and imposing. The first after
Moons performance would have been called won
dcrful for display of heroism and power to en-
dure and suffer. Many had from fifty to
two hundred pieces cut out of the living
flesh from their arms and back. The dance
kept up all night with unabated fcrvor. every per-
formance having something new and startling But
in the morning torture rcigned supreme, men
dancing with two, three and four buffalo heads sus
pended from holes cut in their flesh. One Indian
dragged the ground eight buffalo heads fastened
to the flesh of his back aud in the STOPPING posture
ho was forced to assume they had lacerated torn
the cuts in his back to the extent OF three inches
Others held by four different cords two in the
breast and two in tho back fastened to four stakes
and still others were fastened to the centre pole with
ropes which were fastened TO the breast and back.
HoRHfD PICTURE.
Some In addition TO being fastened by the flesh of
their breasts. had buffalo heads suspended from tho
back aud they would be seized by the hanging heads
and jerked until one would think their life would
be forfeited Others made frantic efforts to break
loose, and often noticed the integument to he
stretched three or four inches from the body some
fell faint and exhausted, and. with wild shouts the
din of music and weird songs. made of il perfect
pandemonium. The dancers neither took food, sleep
water during the festival. Their dancing their
invocatons and their prayers were fervcnt They
laid their faces the buffalo heads while praying
for success in hunting. and the priest wep and asked
the Great Spirit to give them In the chase
and let them have food for their wives aud chdren
also to give them plenty OF horses to prosper them
and help them to subduo their enemies. The sod
was carefully removed in spot four feet square,
and within a white spot was made. This is all they
knew, aud with no teacher but nature must Judge
them chariably. Count not impossible that which
seems unlike" Their liberalty was unbounded.
Over two hundred horses were given away, besides
great quantities of other articles.