Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-05

N~N'NNNN eANaf ~ ~ SuhlOocif Al1NO W
which one may know another in the dark as
well as in the day. During the initiation and
egain just at daybreak something is whispered
20 tie candidate.
CIRCLING GROW DANCE.
The Pa-ginu-hi-na ,Si wa-ci-pi, or the cir
cling crow dance, is called by the Americans
straw OF grass dance. Only members of the
order participate in this dance, and its coun-
ellis are secret. IL is controlled by three men
select Il at the starting of the lodge from
among the more influential members Of the
tribe, who at death or upon resigning their
office select their own SUCCESSORS. The rega-
lia belonging to the three by virtue of their
Office is peculiar, consisting of kind Of tunic
falling from tho waist down behind, attached
to a broad hand around the waist, and COM
posed entirely Of feathers Of the eagle and
crow, with bcadwOrk, pOrcupine quilts and
juggling bells. Exactly in the center and
resting i'm the hollow OF the back Fastened to
the belt projects n slender piece of wood
about eight inches long wrapped with porcu-
pine quillS, to the end of which eagle and
crow feathers and small bells are attached
with long stringS-every motion of the wearer
causing theSa sticks 10 yibrate and the bells
10 lliglt. luS u ull tAlDlClll vi Tttllh, anu
when invested with it one usually gives away
a horse. There are four drummers. Each
ono is provided with stick about three feet
long, one end notched and wrapped around
with quilts and beallS, the other end sharp
encd. These ara stuck in the ground, and
drums with corresponding loops are hung on
to them. The dancers seat themselves in a
ring ON the ground, wrapped in their blan-
EetS, the drUmmers on one silc chanting and
beating their drums At signal all jump
up, and, throwing their arms aloft, chant
with unCOuth gestures and an occasional
whoOp; dance for few moments, when all
but one seat themselves. This one, standing in
the ring keeps on with gestures, wildly wav-
ing his tUlnahawE. or "A sudden he will seat
himself, and in low, mOnOtonOus chant re-
cite his exploits of war ana chase, after
which all will jump M. dance aud yell and
the same performances are again gone
through with This is kept up for several
DAYS at a time, or until all the provisions
have been exhausted During this dance, il
any member wishes a divorce from his wife
he gets up and proclaims that she is no longer
his wife, or that ne has been dcputizcd 10y
some one not member tnaminS him to say
that he has thrown away" his wife. An
outsider by payment can dcpu;i2e member
to DO this. In their own eyes this makes him
u brave man and big chief
The dance is arranged for in this way: A
steward is appointed to collect provisions
and no one darcs refuse him. After collect,
ing sufficient 10 last several days he notifies
the leaders. They call in thS lodge and form
arrangements for the dance, and then the vii
lage cricr goes around and Pro"laims that the
dance will take place abOutSuch u time. IL any
questions are 10 he decided the head men dis
cIlsS il, after which it Is put To vote. Ont
deput2cd goes to each member present and
asks him for his decision, the result showing
whether the question iScarried or lost. Then
the council is closed, outsiders are allowed to
enter and the dance begins. An old woman
invited the leader of the straw dance To dance