Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-12
MORE ABOUT THE DakoTAHs.
The Sun Dance - Ornaments - Division
into Bands

FORT TOKAR, DEVILS LAKE AGENCY, D.
T., Dec. 2-Early in the winter Of 1897 the
Dakotahs ceded all their land lying on the
eastern hank Of the Mississippi TO the United
States government, and this tract at present
forms the settled portion OF Minnesota.
During the summer OF 1851 the commits
soner Of Indian affairs, with Governor Ram
say Of Minnesota, negotiated with the Da-
kotahs Of that region for all their land lying
east OF a line running from Otter Tail lake
through Lake Traverse 10 the junction OF the
Big Sioux river with the Missouri, the In
dians retaining for their own use and settle
meut a resSPTv alton on the upper Minnesota,
% miles wide, about 40 miles long, and q
reservation extending from the most northern
TO the southern point Of DEVILS lake, direct
south to the Cheyenne river and some dis
tanCe IN the west.
Their name the Dnkotahs say, means
leagued or allied. and they sometimes speak
Of themselves as the "Oceti Sakvier, or Seven
Council Fires. These are the seven prime
cipal bands which comprise the tribe or
rst-MdiwakantOnwans, or Village OF
the Spirit Lake
Second-The wahpekutss, or Leaf Shoot
ers
Third-The wshpetonwans, or Village Of
the Leaves.
FOurth-SiSsitOnwans OF Village Of the
Marsh
fth-Thanktonwannas, or Village Of the
End This band is usually designated by
travellers under the naIue Of Yanctons.
Sixth-Ihanktonwans, divided into the
following sub bands or villages: The Pab-
aksa or Cut Heads; the Wazikute, or Pine
Shooters; the Kigukra, Dividsrs or Breaker.
of the Law. From the W azikute branch OF
this band the ASsnaboinss are sprung.
Seventh-The Tstonwsns, Or Village OF
the Prairie; about one half Of the entire Da-
kotah people, numbering about II, 800 souls.
Sitting Bull, the leader of the Custer massa-
Gre is from this band, and they are con-
sidered the finest body OF men among the
Dakotshs, physically and mentally. They
live on tho western side Of the Mississippi.
They are divided into seven bands: The
Sicsngu, or Burnt Thighs; the Itanzipco, or
Bow Pith; the Schssapa, or Blackfeet; the
Mimi Yewuzupi, or Those who Plant by
the Water the Ohenonpa, or Two BOilings
the Oglalas and the Hunkpapa-
HI-wAS-GAG wA-CI-PI, OR Sun DANCE.
The Sioux are very superstitious and firm
believers in dreams, and this lance follows a
dreams intended 20 cure the sick, or avoid
sickness OF other misfortune foretold by tbs
dream, and it is sort Of punishment under
gone 20 propitiate the Great Spirit. They
first form a circle Of green boughs stuck into
the ground, in the center Of which tail sap
ling Is planted, stripped Of all limbs except a
bunch near tho top, and then .wo smaller
ones forming a triangle, to one Of which is
attached a piece OF red cloth, to the other a
piece Of white cotton After the dance these
are burned There is also fastened to each
tree or pole stout thong, q httls
higher than q mans head Tho dancer
takes his place in the center OF the
triangle, naked excepting apron and cloth,
his body painted black and bis hair dishev-
eled. with rings Of white rabbit skin tied to
the flesh Of shoulders and body. Then por-
ton Of flesh on the shoulders or breast ID
pierced through and the thong passed through
the incision sometimes - many - three At
oncel. A small quill whistle Is taken between
the teeth, through which the dancer breathes,
the whistle sounding at each breath. At mid
night the dance Is begun, 70 the noise OF drum
beating and q regular band Of singers The
sun is then supposed to be beneath the feet
and the dancers eyes are turned downward
at first. The idea Is to follow the sun in its
course with the eve, and the performer must
therefore keep his gaze fixed on the orb Of day
till sundovn, unless worn out first, OF course
turning the head with the course Of the sun.
The moment the sun sinks below the horizon
they begin to strive. by pulling and jerking
with their bodies against the thong, to tear it
through the flesh, or, throwing their whole
| might toward the ground, they fall down,
tearing the thong loose, and generally render
ing themselves insensible. During the danes
they will pull against the thongs, raising the
flesh so a man could pas his hand through
the cash.
The drummers keep ups continual chant
Of The Great Spirit keep u.s. To see one un-
dergoing this torture called dancing-naked.
painted, hair streaming, blood trickling from
fearful gashes-is truly dreadful
oRyAMESrs-NKDICINEM MEx
There are but few ornaments now in use
with any meaning. Eagle feathers the num-
Der worn, showing the number OF enemies
killed, the wing feathers Of the bald headed
eagle denOting male and the black eagle
feathers dsnoting women are perhaps most
prominent II they have scalped the enemy
a broad, red streak Is painted upon the
feathers II tho person killed was OF promi-
nence or reputation the feather is sometimes
dyed red Small sticks wrapped with porcu-
pine quills are sometimes attached 10 the quill
OF the feather and little pieces OF white fur
glued to the ends No one will wear an eagle
feather unless entitled 10 1t, as they believe 1t
will 1y away from their heads II worn un-
lawfully. The scalp lock Is still worn
even among many Of the so-called
civilized Indiana They arrange The scalp
lock proper about an inch across, and tie
around this very firmly head band, and
then the hair is braided and an otter skin Is
tied around il spirally, forming q braid at
least two and sometimes Is much as four feet
long. This is kept oiled for the enemy. II
an Indian has the time, and the person killed
is of Importance, hs will scalp of the whole
from beneath the eyebrows including the
ewes Grizzly benr claws are worn as neck
laces-I do not believe as a mark of distinc-
ton, but Us they are costly think the wear
ing them is merely matter OF wealth and
not Of chieftainShip.
Aside from his religious position the Wi
cas- -ta -wakan, or medicine man, Is the physi-
clan, the NJ D., among the Dakotahs, thor
Oughly conyersant with the medicinal quail
ties Of the various herbs To give greater Of
feet to his remedies be Is accompanied by
drum and rattles, and indulges In much CON
tortionS OF features and limbs Often he
sucks with his mouth over the seat Of pain
a novel way Of cupping, but often efiicacious
l have seen cases Of long standing cured by
these men, and instances where the army sur
geon has given them up. One cure have In
mind was Of cataract Of the eye. 10 was
cured by inserting beneath tho lids fling
from brass wire. The patients are always
painted red, TO make their hearts strong they
say. Often the medicine men will cut an
image out Of paper or bark, anI placing it
upon the ground tho patient is held over it :;
then the medicine man will take his gun and
shoot the image, destroying the evil spirit
that has caused the sickness
PAUL BEcXwITH