The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-07-21
the SUN DANCE.

Descriutiou of n I3arbarous Indian Feast
Now Suppressed BY the Government.
The wild Iadian Sun Dance, which
was held for the last time during June,
1883, with its barbarous and cruel in
fiictions, 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 his or any other eyes are views
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 were 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, SUBJ 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 a good
pole for the occasion (Which has,
however, been selected a long time
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 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 off rifles and re-
volvers until outside the limits of the
cncampments, which, together with
their yells, 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
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 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
days, 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 will
any thing but sharp knives by thu
"medicine men, (who are on hand il
great numbers), the girls receiving tw,
infections in each ear and the boys one
for which the medicine man receives
pony or two. Women have thei
arms, shoulders or face cut as the,
may have promised at the time
Groups of men and women dane
with upturned faces to the burn
ing sun, footing continuously whistl
made of an antelope's bone. All thes
are preliminary to the most bar
barous and painful task of being brave
The young men who have fixed thei
hearts upon this tortue by going througl
the ordeal of being cut in the tw,
breasts and sinew passed through
the wounds, are tied to a rope attaches
to the stationary sun dance pole, whicl
they endesvor to break out by contin
uous dancing and jerking. Their face
; are lifted to the scorching June SUI
while they blow on the antelope bon
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 dc
signs of hands, horseshoe prints
horses, Indians. ETC., 60 throug
, mournful singing to the beats of
dozen great drums, making tn
conglomeration of noises an
thing but what band leadc
would term "harmony." On the occs
}. sion to which this article refers but on
, out of the three succeeded in breakin
the flesh from the breasts-and h
proved the meanest as we'll as braves
the others faihting; and some of tn
few whites present became faint them
selves during the progress of this hol
rible torture.
At the close of this festival. lastin
. about eight days. the Indians returne
to their homes to find themselves eithe
richer or poorer than when they left
; but large store-house of rations ful
nisled by the Government supplied thei
! wants to- at least limited extent. o
their return home they found what fe,
; 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 mos
: sensible act when it abolished the su
dance, which every Indian was CON
; PEELED to attend or be held in disgrac
!, by the leaders.-Creigh.on (Meb.) Pic
, ileer.
} THREE ANSWERS.
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