Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-03-13
AN INDIAN FEAST.
The GREEN CORN STAMP DANCE
AT TULSA, /. T.

scenes NJ the Autumn Festivitics OF TIL.
creek Indians-A Very Thorough Clean.
ing Process--A Perpetual Priesthood.
Sacred Fire-HospitaIIty,
ms festival is religious rite and is far
from being what is generally s,tnnosed al,
ordinary dance 1t usually continues fo,. fo,,r
uays ana the ground on which it ia held is
consecrated to the service Tor which it il ,,sed
ny Deing cleared of all Instructions and laid
oi ihto uiHerent rings or places for the
oahces. A post is planted in the center of
one Oh these rings and d fire is kindled near
the post, and around this post and fire tho
company, composed Of men. women and
children, dance to the music of a peculiar
ki9a Oh drum, which is accompanied by the
singing and shouting of the dancers.
Inc nrst day is occupied in feasting and
'he high1 Is taken up with dance The
second day is used as a fast, in which thew
take no food and the night is spent without
Sleep the dance continuing ali night IN
the third day, about noon they partake of
"hat is known as the "bitter medicine. com
Posed OF some wild herb known only to a
certain member of the tribe, who attends to
tne preparation with religious zeal and great
soiemnity. The effect of this bitter medicina
Is very powerful in the way of stirring nm
the inward organization of the person
takisg 1t, producing violent vomiting,
ana Is intended a cleansing power. In
Ease tne medicine does not act sufficiently
iohg Ieather, usually from the wing of al,
eagle or other large bird having feathers of
proper length is taken, and the feather edge
trimmed OF, except a small bunch of the
point This the person that has not been suf-
nclentiy cleansed inserts into his mouth and
uown INTO the stomach, giving it a peculiar
ocklhg TWIST, and by repeating this opcra.
ton and laying himself over leg, face down
ward, he finally is relieved of the contents of
the stomach, and arising he pronounces him
Self Internally cleansed After thoroughly
satisfying themselves that there is nothing
lelt IN them, the whole number of those who
have taken the cleansing process repair to the
river, where they all stand in the water and
at given signal from the leader they dive
under four times, and thus they claim the
outside is cleansed also
Then they dry themselves in the sun. and
sach one securing an arm load of wood, re-
turns to the dancing ground. and rebuilding
the IRE with the wood they have brought.
and sweeping the ground perfectly clean,
tney renew the dance until the fourth day.
when they break up and return to their
homes.
These grounds are selected and established
with great care by the elder members of the
tribe, Que of whom is leader, and one who
holds his Office during life, and at his death
The ONCE descends to some other one, also q
member of the same family, thus initiating
the perpetual priesthood of the Jewish people
The grounds of this place were established
about forty years ago, and the ashes which
make the place sacred were brought from a
similar dancing ground in the state of Ala
oama at the time, and are buried here, where
q new fire is built every year, and the fire is
carried to their homes and kept burning all
the entire year. Thus the same fire that
burns upon the main altar is to be kept burn
ing in the home of each individual, and is in
tended to remind them constantly of the
sacred obligation that they are under in this
During these festivities the most perfect
order prevails i'll camp, and anything of
contrary nature is promptly checked and the |
offenders reminded that the ground whereon
they stand is holy ground
The dance is very peculiar and in many
respects is less Objectionable in its features
than our more modern dances Each indi- |
vidlal operates Independent of any one else
lhefe Is no choosing partners and no flirta- |
ton between the sexes, and anything of that !
kind would be considered a gross insult, and
would meet with strong resentment, if not |
very prompt punishment. The costumes of |
many, especially the women, are very gautiy. |
and are composed largely of fancy ribbons |
and feathers. One was very conspicuous in |
i'll this respect, having beautiful head dress
Of ribbons, reaching from head to foot and |
representing the colors of the rainbow.
These people are not barbarian as might |
be supposed, but they wear the civilized dress, |
and only add these fancy ornaments as others !
themselves
The Greeks extend friendly invitation to |
-he other tribes to join them in this festi-
val, and many of their neighbors avail them
selves of the hospitality thus offered
The Shawnees living within reach always
attend, and it is thought that they excel in |
Tie matter of dancing, many of the women
being peculiarly graceful in their NOV emeuts. |
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