Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-10

ter evenings. one of these bands OF
Arikara braves nun Oers but ten or twelve
individuals OF acknowledged prowess,
and appears go consist Of candidates for
future recognition as shamans or "medi-
cine men, As they progress in the art
OF deception 10 is necessary 10 impress
the balance Of the tribe with their as
. sumed mystic powers and to secure for
themselves the necessary amount OF SUI
perstitiOus generation for future success
in becoming leaders in the tribe.
The "Sacrsd Lodge" OF the Arikara is a
round dirt lodge, with dome shaped roof,
resembling a huge inverted bushel basket.
/ 1t measures about 80 feet in diameter and
from u to Is feet high, and has large
opening at the top for the escape of smoke.
There is only one door, facing tAe east,
and this is directly opposite the point OF
the interior at which the band is sta
toned. In the middle Of the lodge are o
upright trunks OF cottonwood trees, serv-
ing as pillars for the roof. The posts are
arranged three on a side, thus forming an
OblOng square, between which, on the
ground floor, fire is kept burning more
for light than for heat, although the even
ings at this latitude become decidedly
chilly at this season of the year. At
tached TO these posts and around the
sides Of the lodge, are numerous candles
which shed just sufficient 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
taking the first two rows of seats-on the
gr0und-the succeeding ones being taken
0y the FIRST corners. Toe space around
the wall Of the lodge is appropriated 10y
the young Indian bloOds and BOYS. who
usually manage to create considerable
merriment during the awkward intervals,
which are not intrequent. The crier OF
the tribe mounts the roof of the Sacred
Lodge each afternoon, and in doleiul,
monOtOnOus song announces the pro-
Rramme Tor the evening OF that day.
When sunset approaches the members OF
the band enter the structure and prepare
for the evening. An orchestra of two
drummers, two male singers and two wO-
men noted for shrill voices occupies pO-
sitiOn 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 be-
fore the members of the band rise from
their places and advance toward the CEN
trail ire, where they form a semi-circle
and dance, keeping time to the beating OF
the drums.
THE SEA GULL TRICK.
Then Young brave advances bearing a
long pole before him which is surrounded
by a stuffed sea gull. His companions
dance around him eXcitedly, singing
loudly and accompanied by the hired
singers. AL Of a sudden there is an in
slant Of silence, when the BIRDS spirit
can be heard, the voice issuing apparent
~ from the mouth OF the gull. Then, as
a murmur Of appreciation notifies the
dancers that the trick Is successful, it is
repeated. Upon close examination it is
found that thin reed tube extends from
the braves mouth TO the pole, that the
pole is hollow, and that a small whistle
has been inserted in the top, Immediately
under the bird.
THE PUPPET DANCE.
Another trick consists in swallowing a
large bullet and having it removed from
the back. The pOmme blanche, or Indian
turnlp, 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 per-
Torrance. A small puppet, representing
an Indian, probably inches in height, is
placed On the floor before the dancers, and
after considerable drumming and singing
the image begins to bob up and down in
unison with the music. One dancer
takes rod and passes il above and behind
the figure, to show that no strings exist
whereby its movements can be governed.
Finally all of the dancers run around so
as to cross the fire, each time restingupon
the burning branches a few moments,
though not leng enough to scorch the
mOecasins.
CLOSING CEREMONIES.
The closing exercises have been thus
described:
''When the last day Of the festival
SUNDAY came the roofs of almost every
habitati0n in sight Of the plaza before the
Sacred Lodge were crowded with specta-
tors, as none were admitted on that day
save those taking part in the hunting
scenes. First appeared a man represent
ing duck, being covered with articles Of
clothing made Of duck skins stitched to-
gether. AS ne issued from the door Of
the lodge he passed into the next house
the residence Of shaman-where he tar
ried a short time. AS be again started to
visit the next house the duck hunters
issued from the door Of the sacred lodge
and followed his trail. The duck initiated
the voice Of the bird he represented,
while the hunters passed through many
amusing evOluti0ns IN their search. So
the hunt continued round the circle Of
or dwellings and back 70 the point Of de-
parture.
"Then the rabbit appeared and passed
over the same ground, similarly pursued
by hunters armed with bows and arrows.
The rabbit was almost without covering
save the blotches Of gray and white clay
with which his body was besmeared. He,
instead Of returning TO the sacred lodge,
ran to the middle OF the plaza, where he
hoped about and finally squatted in a
cluster Of sage brush, which had previ-
0usly been placed there. When the hunt
ers espIed him one Of them drew his ar
row and shot him through the body.
Then two women came forth from side
lodge, removed the arrow, when plenty Of
blood p appeared, and after a few min
utes' careful pow-wowing the rabbit was
restored TO life.
"A similar fate awaited the buffalo,
though this animal was shot with bullet
instead OF an arrow. He was carried
upon the roof Of the sacred lodge and
there restored. Hunting the owl, the bear
ana the wolf, besides other game animals,
was also illustrated In nearly the same
manner"
These ceremonies complete the fosti-
val, the Indians return to their respective
houses and almost beggar themselves in
entertaining their friends from q dis
lance.
A Famous French Fortune-Teller.
From ne London World.
Desbarolles. the fortune-teller, died on
Thursday at the age Of 50. Desbarolles
was originally a painter Of considerable