The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-06-03
ARIKARAs JuGGLERY.
The Ceremonies In the Sacred Lodgo-sea
Gull and Puppet Tricks.

mystic ceremonies, which are part of
the rites performed in connection with
making rain, exercising evil spirits, etc.
but among the Arikara Indians of
Northern Dakota there survives a Gus
tom of giving public entertainment
each year. which causes the gathering
Of friendly Indians from all directions.
The ceremony takes place during
August and September, and after con-
tinuing for six weeks term mates IN
sham hunts. The young men and war
riors among nearly all tribes of the
great plains organize themselves into
bands for mutual amusement, dancing
and feasting, to while away the long,
dreary winter evenings. One of these
bands of Arikara braves numbers but
ten or twelve individuals of acknowl-
edged prowess, and appears to consist
of candidates for future recognition as
shamans or medicine men," \ s they
progress in the art of deception it is
necessary to impress the balance of the
tribe with their assumed mystic powers
and to secure for themselves the neces-
sary amount of superstitious venera-
tion for future success in becoming
leaders in the tribe.
The Sacred odge" of the Arikara
is round dirt lodge, with dome
shaped roof, resembling huge invert-
ed bushel- basket. 1t measures about
fifty feet in diameter, and from fifteen
to eighteen feet high, and has large
opening at the top for the es ape of
smoke. There is only one door, facing
the east, and this is directly opposite
the point of the interior at which the
band is stationed. In the middle of
the lodge are six heavy upright trunks
of cottonwood trees, serving as pillars
for the roof. The posts are arranged
long square, between which, on the
ground floor, fire is kept burning
more for light than for heat, although
the evenings at this latitude become
decidedly chilly at this season of the
year. Attached to these posts and
around the sides of the lodge are nu-
merous candles, which shed Just suffi-
cient light to add to the weirdness of
the scene. That quarter of the interior
next to the door is reserved for the
audience, the old men and women TAX
ing the first two rows of seats-on the
ground--the succeeding ones being
taken by the first Corners. The space
around the wall of the lodge is appro-
priated by the young Indian bloods and
boys, who usually manage TO create
considerable merriment during the awk
ward intervals, which are not infre-
quent. The crier of the tribe mounts
the roof of the Sacred Lodge each af-
ternoon, and in a doleful, monotonous
song announces the programme for the
evening of that day. When sunset APP
proaches the members of the band
enter the structure and prepare for the
evening. An orchestra of two drum
mers, two male singers, and two women
noted for shrill voices occupies posi-
ton on the right side of the floor, and
at the proper time drumming begins in
very faint tone, gradually increasing
in intensity, when the singers join in.
There may be one or two preliminary
songs before the members of the band
rise from their places and advance
form semi-circle and dance, keeping
time to the beating of the drums.
Then a young brave advances bear-
ing long pole before him which Is sur
mounted by stuffed sea gull. His
companions dance around him excited
ly, singing loudly and accompanied by
the hired singers. All of sudden
there is an instant of silence, when the
birds spirit can be heard, the voice
issuing apparently from the mouth of
the gull Then, as murmur of APP
probation notifies the dancers that the
trick is successful, it is repeated. Upon
closa examination it is found that q
thin reed tube extends from the braves
mouth to the pole, that the pole is hol-
low, and that small whistle has been
inserted in the top, Immediately under
the bird.
Another trick consists in swallowing
large bullet and having it removed
from the back. The pomme blanche,
or Indian turnip, is made to grow in
the earthen floor of the lodge, though
it is almost needless to say that these
have been planted there during the day
of the performance. A small puppet,
representing an Indian, probably six
inches in height, is placed on the floor
before the dancers, and after consider
able drumming and singing the image
begins to bob up and down in unis on
with the music. One dancer takes a
rod and passes it above and behind the
figure, to show that no strings exist
whereby its movements can be govern
ed. inally all OF the dancers run
around so as to cross the fire, each
time resting upon the burning branches
few moments, though not long enough
to scorch the moccasins.
The closing exercises have been thus
described: "When the last day of the
festival Sunday came the roofs of
almost every habitation in sight of the
plazl before the Sacred Lodge were
crowded with spectators, as none were
admitted on that day save those taking
part in the hunting scenes. First APP
peared man representing duck, be-
ing covered with articles of clothing
made of duck skins stitched together
As he issued from the door of the
lodge he passed into the next
house-the residence of shaman-
where he tarried short time. As
he again started to visit the next house
the duck hunters issued from the door
| of the sacred lodge and followed his