Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-08-21
A Sun Dancc Among the sioux.

sun S:ncc Among the SiOOx.
A letter received at the Interior Depart
rcnt from Dr. L. Woodbridge. agenc,
ph,si ian tor tie Fort Peck Agency. give
the following graphic description Of ,h'
annual "sun dance of the Sioux nation
which took place near Poplar river, il
Montana Territory, about the middle o
juno:
have iust witnessed the great lndav
festival OF the ''snn dance" or worship Of
the sun. Great preparations bad beer
made for it. and everything was on tho
grandest seal. The city OF lodges was
moved. and the ln,li.t''s encamped on 4
icartiiul plain inclosing hollow square.
llryc enoi@h for the movements Of thou.
sands of Iorscmcn. In the center. Tie
great pavilion or medicine lodge was erect
ed, one hundred and fifty feet in diameter,
the outside formed of small posts of green
poplar and willow. tlichly interviewer with
green branches. Resting on this and on Il
rude framework within. all around for
about twenty feet Tire space was covered
with buffalo skir>. forming ne dress cir
Gle" Wit, ,lacc, assigned To TIC tnuscars
aid ac:o,s or lanccgs. II tie ,cn:cr WIS
the g.at medicine pole. fifty feet high.
The diaiact"r Of the central space. :hout
one hund.c.. feet, was open to t!i. broad
sunlight.
Only the men occupied the deep circle,
where they were feas:ed during the per-
Torrance of 2s continuous hours. during
which time about forty dogs were immo-
lated and eaten. beside J "Cnanttics of
buffalo meat. WiiI-tlrL,, IDS and hot
cauldrons of other e:tablts that are name
less. The audience was composed Of about
5000 Indians. but as only the men occ,l-
pied the circle within. the common people.
women and hoys. bad TO he satisfied hy
viewing the performance through the wide |
entrance Or through tie intersticcs IN the !
lcafy barriers. Al had on their holiday
attire. The dresses of some Of the chiefs.
and those acting us directors or priests
were gorgeous.
When all WAS prepared. amid tie waving
Of banners. music. and the loud shouting
Of the ass mbed throng. over fifty braves
entered-each IN Apollo-rainted and na-
he'd to the waist, except proflsion of CT
naments, with Ecad-drcsses of beautiful
feathers, their black. glossy hair reaching
down to their lower garments. which were
most beautifully and ar,si"'Iy arranged.
Each carried in his hand IN orramentc,l
whistle. made from the bone Of an eagles
wing, which WAS blown srlly during the
dancing. Each also carried bouquet
composed mostly o! the wild sage Their
appearance and reception was grand and
imposing.
The first afternoon s performance would
have been called wonderful for display of
|icroisn and power 10 endure and suffer-
Many had f!'om fifty , TWO hundred pieces
cut out Of tie living flesh from their arms
lnl back. Tie dance WIS kept up I'll night
with unabated fervor. every performance ,
having something new and startling. But ,
n the morning tortuir med supreme.
ncn dancing with two. ec and four bnf- G
.lo heads suspended from holes cut in =
heir flesh. One Indian dragged on tie h
ground eight buffalo heads fastened to the .,
lesh of his back, and in the STOPPING pos =
ule he was forced to assume. they had T
acerated or torn the cuts in his back to the
Xtent OF three inches. Others were held I
" !oar different cords, two in the breast h
nj tTo in the back--tas:ened to four >,
lakes; and still others were fastened 10 :,
ne center pole with ropes which were fast 8
h,,t |
Ii-ion 70 being fastened by the flesh OF
!.ei. breasts. Lad buffalo heads suspended :.
rom the back, ana they would he seized ;,
y the hanging heads and jerkel until one i,
;onid thinn their lie would he forfeited; y
theirs made frantic efforts TO break loose. ~
nj often noticed the integnMent TO be r
tretched three Or four inches from the 9,
oily. Some fell faint and exhausted. and ;,
,ih wild shouts. tie din OF music and r.
cIrd songs made OF It perfect pandemo- II
illm. ;,
The dancers neither took food. sleep nor q,
Iatcr during the festival. Their dancing. q,
heir invocations and their prayers were +,
'rrent. They laid their faces on the buf- r.
10 heads while praying for success in 81
uniting, and the priest wept and asked tie n
rcat Spirit 10 give then, success in Il G "
base and let item have TODD for tlcir :,
ives and children: also 10 give them pien- n,
' Of horses. to prosper them and help g;
ZEN 10 suhdq4 tlicir cnemios The sod o,
as carefully removed in = spot four f-et >.
i''ar,, a't.l w.,i.iI q White cross Mas made. =.
his is ali ihcr knew rhcif l;5cr'ity vas a.
nboundcA. Over TWO huni',cd larscs i,
'cre given away. besides great quantities ,t
I other articles. :,