The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1879-07-04
THE sun DANCE.

"A VI very SCchcos
Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune. ]
PINE RIDGE INDIAN AGENCY, d. T.,
June 19.-Early in the morning of June
IL there came to the Agency buildings,
rolling and rum bling from the Sioux
Sun Dance camp, three miles away, a
very babel of strange sounds, as the
proceedings of the mad ceremony pro.
gressed. At 9 O'Clock l visited the
scene, finding there perhaps 5000 Indi.
ans, of all ages ard both sexes. 81
THE SITE FOR THIS SACRED FESTIVAL
has heretofore been chosen remote from
the, Agencies, far removed from the
reach of curious whites; but this year,
in this respect. old customs were disre.
garded, and the Medicine Men chose a
beautiful level plateau, surrounded on
all sides by gradually-rising ground, and
along the border of which flowed White
Clay Creek. Soon after the site had
been selectt d, the whole band, number
ing some 1900 lodges, moved and
camped in circle about the spot--the
senior Chief, Red Cloud, first pitching
his tent-the others forming On his left
until the circle was completed-until the
bar of White Bird touched elbows
with Red Clouds right-the whole in
closing perhaps one section CT land, in
the center of which was erected the sa-
cred staff, or
sUNDANCE POLE;
around which, forming a circle about
$50 feet in diameter, was erected brush
and canvas canopy. Into this circle was
but one orenlng, about 10 feet wide,
and opening toward the rising sun. In
to this area only the warriors were al
lowed TO enter; and these, to the num-
Der of perhaps 1000, l found seated
around the outer edge-each band by
itself, and in the order of the encamp-
ment.
Each Ct these hearty lunged fellows
was chanting the discordant sing-song
melody usual with Indians; but sudden
ly the volume of noise increased, the
tom-toms redoubled their thunders, and
there trotted into the arena
PERHAPS TWO HUNDRED YOUNG BUCKS.
These were painted after the most ap-
proved Indian fashion-the bodies max
ed from the waist upwards, save some
half-dczen who wore only a limited
breech. ciout. OF these, three were par
ticularly noticeable, being each about
from to s years Of age-naked, and
painted white. They were perfectly
formed cherubs, strai ght as arrows, and
sober as judges. In truth, in all this,
which at times seemed to one uninitiat-
ed very comical and absurd, they wore
the most solemn countenances. On en-
tering, they bowed low to the sacred
pole; then crossed the ring and formed
in double line, facing the pole and the
east.
The music died away to q weird wall !;
and, with
A WAVING, sPRINGlNG MOTION, OR
p DANCE,
the whole advanced toward the pole in
the center, passed it, and retreated again
backwards. This was repeated several
times, when again the discordant din
broke out afresh. The dancers broke
in with sharp, wolf-like yells; the old
squaws, about in thousands, shouted
their wild salute of admiration and en-
enlargement: and, moving solemnly
and slowly, there entered three of the
Sun-Dancers. In form much doubt if
a cunning sculptor could have improved
upon these perfect models. Here were
the broad shoulders, the muscle ridged
limbs and loins, and the admired taper
from point Of shoulder to feet. In all,
they were the embodiment of strength
and agility. Entering, the eyes were
hidden by the left hand, while the right
was raised and extended toward the
pole. These wore the breech. clout
and the bodies were painted gray or
ashen, save the faces, which were black,
striped with red, yellow and green.
Soon Others, to the number of fifteen,
followed, crossed the ling and took sta
ion on the opposite side,
ALWAYS FACING THE Sun,
now climbing toward the zenith; when
all raised both hands reverently toward
he sun, looked straight toward that
fierce Iuminary, and began the dance;
and this dance all through was the
same, consisting of gentle, graceful,
'pringing motion, formed by bending
he limbs and bodies, with the head al
ways thrown back so that the rays of
he sun might strike them squarely in
he eyes; while, upon a peculiar, single
oned, ornamented whistle, held between
he lips, time was kept with the move,
nent Of the bodies, which latter obeyed
he inharmony of the tom.tom and the
'hant of the thousands about.
All now retired from the ring save the
and attendants, and
couple of orators, who lectured the
lancers, the warriors, the whites, and
n truth every body, in vigorous style.
In the intervals of the dance, the gen.
rous hearts of the noble reds over
Owed, and ponies, cloths, baskets,
ipes, moccasirs, and every article of |
Sc and ornament, were plenteously
iven away. Generally these were led |
r carried into the ring by the owner,
vhen the crier would announce the
anne Of the recipient, who would adj
ance in silence and take the article,
acknowledging the gift by no word or
,ken.
But the generosity of
AMERICAN HORSE
xceeded all bounds. Suddenly he came
ito :he ring, driving pair of magnifi.
emit ponies, harnesssd to light SPRING
agon, in the fore part of which he
ood-his herculean limbs, and brawny,
Iwny chest bare-while seated behind
I'M was an Indian girl of about IA
ears. She looked really handsome
le face just tiuged to bright copper
dor, the hair braided in two long
sndent plaits, and she wearing a gown
bright blue material of some rich,
'aVy fabric, while over the shoulders
as a very valuable and beautiful GRIM
n and yellow Navajo blanket. The
,nies plunged madly about, but the