The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1879-08-05
The Sun-Danoe Of the Sioux.

..HNI faHHlHINa
A letter received at the Interior De,
partment, from DR.. T. Woodbridge, |
physician for the Fort Peck Agency,
gives the following graphic descrip- |
tion of the annual "Sun-dance" Of the
Sioux Nation. which took place near
Poplar river, in Montana Territory,
about two weeks ago. -
Il have Just witnessed the great
Indian festival Of the 'Sun-dance, or
worship of the sun. Great prepara-
tion had been made for it, and every
thing was on the grandest scale. The
city Of lodges was moved and the In
dians encamped on beautiful plain
enclosing ia hollow square large
enough for the movements of thousands
of borsemen. In the center the great
pavilion or inedicinslodge was
erected, l5O feet in diameter, the out
side formed of small posts Of green
poplar and rwillew, thickly intey,
woven rwithr fgreenystbranches.l Fur
about 20 feet. the, space was covered
with buffalo skins, forming the "dress
circle with places assigned, to the
musicians and actors or dancers. In
the center was the great medicine pole,
so feet high. The diameter OF the
central space. about 10 feet, was open
to the broad sunligllt9o Only the men
occupied the deep circle, where they.
were feasted during tho performance
Of 2S continuous hours during which
time about 40 dogs we're inundated
and eaten, beside large quantities OF
buffalo meat, &ildaturnip4 heals, and
hot caldrohs Of other eatables that are
audience was composed Of fabout 900
Indians, but as only the men oecu-
pied the circle, within, the common
people--women and boys-had to be
satisfied by viewing the performances
through the wide ENTRANCE or through
the interstices in theleaiy barriers.
AlThad on theirs holiday attire, The
dresses oflsome ofthech chiefs ami those
1
actingi al directors or. priests were
gorgeous. 's''fi'"l ni9l'ii
ldi"Whep AL was prepared, apld' the
waving Of banners, mnsie, and the
loud, shouting of the, assembled
throng, over fifty; braves entered
each an Apollo--painted and naked
Ito the waist, except a prolusioh Of
ornaments, with head dresses Of beau
tiful feathers, their black, glossy hair
reaching down to their lower gar
ments, whichwerc'm c'mostbeautiful and
artistically yarrangedI Each carried
| in his hand an ornamental wistle
made from the bone of an ,eagle''
wing, which was blown shrilly during
the dancing. Each also carried ;
bouquet, composed mostly Of the wilt
sage. Their appearance and reception
were grand and imposing, The frs
: afternoons perfo, nance would hav'
been called wonderful for display Q
Iheroisin and power to end urc and sui
fer Many had from fifty to tw
hundred pieces cut outiof their flesh
\ from their arms aud back. The dane
: was kept up, allnight. with unabate'
fervor. every performance havinI
something new, and startling. But i
the morning torture reigned supreme
men dancing with two, three ana lou
buffalo heads suspended rom holes Gu
IN their tesii: none Indiah d.aggca 0
the ground eigat buffalo heaas iaS'el Ia ..
ed to the iiesh o'nls oacs, ai'a ~ "
stooplng posture ne was 'orcea 70 a. :,
sumo they mad laoerated OF torn , u "
cuts in his back to the ex,eht Oh 'nrt !, !:
I inches. Other were heip oy 'out ~ ~
ierent cords, TWO N ~ .ne ofease aaa ~ =" =
IN the PACK, fastened 70 iour NJ, s.aSe'
and others were lps.ehea : 10. 70 'Ie S,',an. vem.'
PoiS WIN rgpes,swn,vIr Il W. n,a ,a;,'ae ~ ~
toMe ofeas. rf, auc yaoN,s 'bo, ~ anat ~ :,