The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-07-08
INDIAN SUN DANCE.
A Barbarous Rite that Has
Been Abolished.

"A iSeS sAASsS AN~~
Been Abolished.
Fasting and Feasting Followed by
Sickening Display Of Self Torture
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 features
of savage superstition that will never
again be repeated. Prior to the compile
tion 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 'heart 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-
fore) and finally, after considerable de-
lay, 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 Sc
lected for its "planting." Before them
rush thousand young braves on ponies,
who fire off rifles and revolvers until out
side the limits ofthe 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
squaw.
The sun dance among these wild peo-
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.
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 children to be "gouged" in the
ears with anything but sharp knives by
the "medicine men" (who are on hand
IN great nuurpvrs1, the girls receiving
two infections in each ear and the boys
one, for which the medicine man receives
a 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 upturned faces
to the burning sun, footing continuously
whistle made Of an antelope'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 thu
two breasts and a sinew passed through
the wounds, are tied to rope attached
to the stationary sun dance pole, which
they endeavor to break out by continu
Gus dancing and jerking. Their faces
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 throws ou
sticks to the surrounding crowds, and s
scramble is made to secure them, as eacl
stick entities the holder to pony. In
voking the Great Spirit for success is
general by the medicine men, while
groups of dancers with whistles anC
bands of nearly naked wild men, painted
in all colors, yellow, green, red, blue,
black, white or purple, in whole, il
part or combinations, with the designs
of hands, horse shoe prints, horses, Indi-
ans, etc., go through mournful singing
to the beats of dozen great drums,
making the congomeration of noises
anything but what a band leader would
term ''harmony." On the occasion tc
which this article refers but one out O
the three succeeded in breaking the flesh
from the breasts-and he proved the
meanest as well as bravest-the Others
fainting; and some of the few whites
present became faint themselves during
the progress of this horrible torture.
AT the close of this festival, lasting
about eight days, the Indians returned
to their homes to find themselves either
richer or poorer than when they left bu
large storehouse of rations furnished b,
the government supplied their wants t.
at least limited extent. On their re-
turn home they found what few crop
they had put in before they left haC
either got behind the growth of tn
weeds or eaten hy stray stock. Thu
the progressive Indian failed to progress
and the government did most sensible
act when it abolished the sun dance
} which every Indian was compelled to at
tend or be held in disgrace by the lead
ers. Creighton (Neb.) Pioneer.