St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-08-28
THE SUN DANCE.
Description Of Barbsrous Indian Fee'

Description Of . Barbsrous Indian Feast
| Now Suppressed by the Government.
The wild Indian Sun Dance, which
was held for the last time during June,
1883. with its barbarous and cruel in
fictions, is one of the historical pasts
that will never again be repeated. The
writer was present at that sun dance,
and the only scenes that will again
greet hi. or any other eyes are view;
that were taken on the spot. and which,
but for the iron will of the Indian agent,
would never have been taken, so super.
stitious we're the Indians against it.
Prior to the completion of the sun
dance circle, when three days are
taken to feasting on dog soup, dancing.
giving away ponies, cattle and every
thing else that gives evidence that the
..heart is good the chiefs, sub-chiefs and
head men meet in council in some wood.
land, where they select twelve virgins
who are to do the honor of cutting the
pole. A number of young Indians are
appointed to make search for good
pole for the occasion (Which has,
before; but they must go through certain
pretentions so as to make themselves
appear proper), and finally, after con-
siderable delay. the twelve virgins each
take an axe. and give the pole one cut.
the young bucks finishing the job. The
crossing Of a stream is superstitiously
forbidden, and when the young Indians
are ready they march in triumph to the
place selected for its planting" Be-
fore them rush thousand young braves
on ponies. who fire of rifles and re-
volvers until outside the limits of the
encampments, which. together with
their wells. would drive off any evil
spirits that might be hanging around;
and that is their part in the play. The
pole is raised and green brush is placed
IN circle about it, while the pole itself
$ gorgeously decorated with strips Of
calico in all the brilliant hues. which
have been placed there as offerings:
from some dusky maiden or old squaw
The sun dance among these wild
people 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. 1t is composed of
fasting and feasting combined. the ones
who have made vows fasting for several
1ays, and those who are to ..see 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 chill.
dren to be "gouged' in the ears with
any thing but sharp knives by the
"medicine men, (whO are on hand in
great numbers), the girls receiving tive
intiictions in each ear and the boys one,
for which the medicine man receives .
pony or two. Women have THEN
arms, shoulders or face cut as they
may have promised at the time.
Groups of men and women dance
with upturned faces to the burn
ing sun. footing continuously whistle
made of an antelope's bone. All these
are preliminary to the most bar.
barous and painful task of being brave.
The Young men who have fixed their
hearts upon this tortue by going through
the ordeal of being cut in the two
breasts and a sinsw passed through
the wounds. are tied to a rope attached
to the stationary sun dance pole, which
they endeayor to break out by contin'
uous dancing and jerking. Their face:
are lifted to the scorching June sur
while they blow on the antelope bone
whistle. To contribute to their success:
some near friend or relative throw:
out sticks to the surrounding crowds
and scramble is made to secure them
as each stick entities the holder to ;
pony. Invoking the Great Spirit To-
success is general by the medicine men
while groups of dancers with whistles
and bands of nearly naked wild men
painted in all colors. yellow. green. red
blue. black. white or purple. in whole
in part or combinations, with the de
signs of hands. horseshoe prints
horses, Indians. ETC.. go throug
mournful singing to the beats of I
dozen great drums, making tn
conglomeration of noises an.
thing but what band leade
! would term ..harmony" On the occa
sion to which this article refers but on
out of the three succeeded in breakin
) tile HpSU lIC Al
| proved the meanest as well as braves
the others fainting; and some OF tn
few whites present became faint them
selves during the progress of this hor
rible torture.
At the close of this festival. 1astin!
about eight days. the Indians returnc
to their homes to find themselves eithe
richer or poorer than when they left
but large store-house of rations fur
nished by the Government supplied thei
: wants to at least q limited extent. o.
, their return home they found what fey
; crops they had put in before they LEI
: had either got behind the growth of tn
!. weeds or been eaten by stray stock. Thu
the progressive Indian failed to pro
, gress. and the Government did a mos
, sensible act when it abolished the SUI
, dance, which every Indian was com
PEELED to attend or be held in disgrac
, BY the leaders.-Crei3h.on (Neb.) PIC
I neer.
! THREE ANSWERS.