The bee., 1883-04-14
THE ONONDAGls.
Manners and Customs of n Once Powerful
Indian Tribe Dwelling in the Center of
New York

city OF Syracuse, and surrounded by
wealthy white population, dwell the
remr ITS of the Onondaga tribe Of In
dians. Their reservation is three miles
square and contains about 5000 acres
of beautiful, fertile land, and on it is
one of the finest stone quarrieS in Cen
trail New York. When first given
them the reservation covered $4,000
acres, but sale after sale has redu elit
to its present narrow limits.
There are three hundred and twenty
Onordagas living on the reservation,
and about hundred other Indians of
various nationalities residing with
them. These people are recognized as
nation both by our State and general
governments, and are dealt with ac-
cording to treaties which we have again
and again made with them. They
maintain form of government re-
ceived from their ancestors, and prac-
tice the same religious rites and cere-
monies which their fathers observed
before Columbus discovered this conti-
nant. Although they have dwelt SO
n + our white citizens for three-quar
tiers of a century, very many of them
are unable to speak the English Ian
guage, none pronounce it perfectly,
and their entire conversation among
themselves is in the Indian dialect.
About half the tribe or nation are
professed Chi tians, and have adopted
in some degree the opinions AMI Gus
toms of Christian civilization; while
the other huff clngs with great pride
and tenacity to their traditional feast,
fastS ard ceremonies.
Among the pagan portion of the
tribe marriage rites and obligations ar
almost t.rely ignored Men and
women 'take up with each other, and
live together, until it suits the .whim
of either party to end the relation,
and then separate. There is
an old saving that the
"Great Spirit is angry with man
who divorces more than three wives;
but IL is evident that these "braves"
do not fear His anger, for a half dozen
such divorces by one man is not un-
usual, while the women as frequently
| change husbands. In all cases Of
separation the children, if there are
any. follow the fortune of the mother,
and depend upon her solely for care
and support, the father giving himself
no concern about them and contribut-
ing nothing whatever to their support.
l asked one of the most intelligent
and influential of the pagan men if he
thought, after the separation of par
ents, the father should help provide
fer his children ? After deliberatere-
Election he replied "I don't know
These often parted and often married
people live quietly as neighb0rs and
friends, the numerous divorces not
seeming to interrupt the friendship of
the parties. Neither agenor condition
seems to regulate these singular mar
riages. l visited one home in which
the husband could not have been over
twenty-one years old, while the wife
was about sixty.
The country of the Onondagas is the
land of woman's rights" The men,
lership of the tribe, as well as all title
to property, descends only through the
women. II an Onondaga man marrins
outside the nation, even though he Ue
a chief, his children are not recognized
as members of the tribe, nor can they
inherit his interest in tribal property.
On the other hand, no matter whom a
woman of the tribe marries, her Chi
dren are full Onondagas, with all the
franchises of the nation.
The women q entitled to nominate
the chiefs, and are equal voters with
the men in all tribal elections. If a
woman possessed of property dies her
children inherit her estate; but when
man dies his property reverts to his
mothers heirs.
Among the curious customs of this
people is one known as the dead
Feast" Upon the decease of man
his nearest female relatives - his
mother and sisters and aunts on his
mothers side-meet at his residence
and are committee on his estate. a
careful inventory of the property is
made and a conclusion reached as to
what shall be done with it. On the
tenth day after his death feast is held
to which his kindred and near friends
are invited. Each woman brings her
dishes and basket Of provisions, as to
a picnic. When all are assembled
some chosen orator delivers eulogy
On the deceased, at the conclusion of
which the woman nearest of kin to
him, who is also the chairwoman of
the committee on his estate, approaches
haIin1 on1 honlir ~
each article of the dead mans effects
to him, instructs him to whom to de
liver 1T, and the estate is divided and
settled then and there. In this manner
the living woman make and administer
the "last will and testament" of the
dead man, and from their action there
is no appeal.
After this important duty is performed
the women distribute the refresh
.ments, setting plates filled with food
onlthe tables, Stair-steps or window
sills for the spirits of deceased friends
who are believed to be present and en-
jo- ing the social festivities of the occa-
sion.
Very slowly, but certainly like the
steady, inn Ierceptibie movement of the
hour hand over the dial of clock, are
these people making progress toward a
higher civilization. Two churches are
doing excellent work among them.
Into two day-schools the Indian chill
dren are gathered, and are there care
fully taught, although most of them
are very stupid scholars.-Christidn at
Work.