Martinsburg gazette. (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1886-1887, 1886-10-30
INDIAN SUN DANCE.
Barbarous Rite that Has
been Abolished.
Fasting and Peasting Followed BY 9
siokening Display Of Self Torture.

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fiictions. is one Of the historical features
Of savage superstition that will never
again be repeated. Prior to the compile
ton Of the sun dance circle, when three
days are taken to feasting on dog soup,
dancing, giving away ponies, cattle and
everything else that gives evidence that
the ssheart is good the chiefs, sub
chiefs and head men meet in council IN
some woodland, where they select twelve
virgins who are to do the honor Of cut
ting the pole. A number Of young In
dams are appointed to make search for
good pole for the occasion (which has,
however, been selected long time be-
forel and finally, after considerable de
lay, the twelve virgins each take ali axe,
and give the pole one cut, the young
bucks finishing the job. The crossing
Of stream is superstitiously forbidden,
and when the young Indians arc ready
they march in triumph to tho place Sc
lccted for its planting" Before them
rush thousand young braves on ponies,
who fire off rifles and reyolycrs until out
side the limits ofthc encampment, which,
together with their yells, would drive
off any evil spirits that might be hang
ing around, and that is their part in the
play. The pole is raised and green
brush is placed in a circle about it, while
the pole itself is gorgeously decorated
with strips of calico in all the brilliant
hues, which have been placed there as
offerings from some dusky maiden or old
s9uaw.
The sun dance among these wild poo
pie is barbarous religion with them.
During the year an Indian has prayed to
the Great Spirit for fortune in hunting,
restoration of health or some other wish,
for which he promises, if the prayer is
granted, to make some sacrifice or dance
at the annual sun dance, which was
usually held during the month Of June.
It is composed Of fasting and feasting
combined, the ones who have made vows
fasting for several days, and those who
are to 'tsee them through feasting on
delicious young dogs made into soup.
Mothers who have asked the Great Spirit
for some favor bring their babes and
young children to be 'lgougedn in the
ears with anything but sharp knives by
the medicine mem (who are on hand
in great numbers), the girls receiving
two infections in each ear and the boys
one, for which the medicine man receives
pony or two. Women have their arms,
shoulders or face cut as they may have
promised at the time. Groups Of men
and women dance with uptnrncd faces
to the burning sun, footing continuously
whistle made II an anteiope's bone.
All these are preliminary to the most
barbarous and painful task OF being
brave. The young men who have fixed
their hearts upon this torture by going
through the ordeal Of being cut in the
two breasts and q sinew passed through
the wounds, are tied to q rope attached
to the stationary sun dance pole, which
they endeayor to break out by continu-
Gus dancing and jerking. Their faces
are lifted TO the scorching juno sun
while they blow on the antelope bone
whistle. To contribute to their success,
some near friend or relative throws out
sticks to the surrounding crowds, and a