The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-08
DEATH AMONG THE oMAHAs.
Funeral Customs OF An American
Tribe of Ind ians-- Death Foreshad-
owed and warded on

VINO has lOT SOtHc gOhtS o0oH OhiPAoyOu
in the Indian office, fead all interesting
paper before the Anthropological So
ciety Tuesday evening, says the Wash
ington Star, on Funeral Customs OF
the Omahas" 1.-THE approach of
DEATH" he said, lis believed to be-
foreshadowed in various ways not
onl, to the person himself. bat by 9TH
ers, who, by reason of their supposed
skill in seeing the coming OF death,
gain reputation as prophets. 1hey
either have visions, or pass through
apparent death. The dreamer lies
in the open air. IN the midsummer.
with the thunder rolling id the heav-
ems, and listens for voices. These come
tc him from animals clouds. or merely
the air. Such persons as can foresee
death are eligible to membership in
the Ghost society,"" One vision is
that of woman walking. but not on
the ground, surrounded by a halo of
brightness. and always leaving vii
lage or lodge. II one wear q placid.
pleasing expression the death will b.
from natural causes, from accident or
in war; but if the face is distorted 1T is
al indication that the person will die
while in quarrel with another and
the soul Is full of bitterness. Those
who foresee can always prevent death,
and are often called upon to render
this service. One method is pouring
hot water at right angles to the path
leading to the lodge; while another
consists of occupying. with one whose
death is foreseep, sweat-lodge built
by the latter, pronounc;ng certain in-
carnations. and sprinkling the body OF
the client with the powder of the art
emsis, supposed to be tho food OF the
ghosts.
1.-The bowling of dog is also a
token of coming death. but is not so
infallible as the spectacle of dog
mounting the side of an earth
lodge and peering through the
opening at the top Then with trem-
bling limbs, the warriors seated around
the fire seize missiles, base the dog
and kill him to propitia to the ghosts.
To see or hear the voices of dea rela-
tives is also a sign of approa ching
| death.
LAS soon as the person reaches the
last moment of life those around be-
| gin to wall in voices that can be heard
for two miles or more. This cry has
sometimes been m staken for song or
chant, but it is merely cry OF deep
anguish, interspersed with terms OF
relation. When the person Is known
to be dead those near est related TO n nj
strip themselves, with frenzled zeal OF
every article of ornament on their
body, and even clip their hair. The
Young wome only cut it a little, and
the young men often not at all. but
the elders of both sex es cut it short.
The young men and women cut the
flesh off the legs below the knees.
With every fresh arrival the wailings
begin anew. The relatives become ex-
hausted by the wounds they inflicted
on themselves and the cons tant crying
long before the time of burial. As
soon as death occurs the body Is
propped in sitting position so that 1t
may stiffen in that attitude and is
dressed in gala costume. The face is
painted first deep red, and then a
black limo about the width of a finger
is drawn across the forehead and
down the cheeks. moeiing another limo
drawn horizontally across the chin.
thus formin ing square.
IF the deceased be member Of
one of the societies the organization
takes entire charge of the funeral. II
is carried to the lodge of the society
and is placed at one end in the posi-
ton of host painted and dressed as
in life. Members of the society call
and pay respect to the dead. bringing
gifts and singing the favorite songs Of
the deceased brother. One OF the
most impressive of all the customs Of
the Omahas occurs at this time. while
the body is lying in state. The young
men, anxious to do homage and pay
respect to the memory of the dead.
gather In the village, strip themselves
to the brcechcloth and Cut in the right
arm slit in the skin between the ell
bow and the shoulder. Willow twigs
bearing leaves are then thrust through
this slip of the skin, with the foliage
hanging down. The wound is KEPT
open and the blood trinkles down and
spatters the leaves. The young men
then march in silence to the lodge con
tanning the body, and. standing in I
line across the entrance, sing. This i
the only funeral song of the Omahas
and has been sung in the same way fol
years. /"
Mr.. La Flesche then asked young
Omaha Indian in the audience to COM
forward. He did so. bringing wit
him four short paddles of willo'
wood, two of which he gave to tn
lecturer. The two Indians then bega
the funeral song. or chant, whic
sounded weirdly amid the surround
ings of civilization. There were n
words audible, simply nasal drone o
vail that rose and fell in accented ca
dence much as the wind sounds throug
the wires at night. The younger In
dian closed his eyes and threw back hi
head in native JUNCTION, but the LEI
turer sang without movement Bot
kept time with the movement OF tn
chant by beating the paddles togethe
at regular intervals.
"At the close of the song" confirm
ed Mr.. La Flesc he, 'the chief mourn
er energies from the lodge and a
> sound dies away. The mourner passe
down the line; saluting each of til
I | ,r;,;to,s rTl,on poscin m hack he mi