Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-02-03
: AN ALASKA poTLATclh
How the AUX and sitka Indiana Adgnst
Tribal Differences


Tribal Differences
On Sunday last five esnees Of Sitka
Indians arrived at tn. Aux VILLAGE. inst
apoVe town. 1t was the occasion If no
little excitement among the Anks. for
the Sitkans, as Is usual upon such visits.
made demand of one hundred and
twenty blankets as remuneration for
injuries member Of their tribe hal
received two years ago while engaged
IN cut and slash with an Aux Indian,
In which the Sitkan got decidedly the
worst OF the battle. Tae Auks refused
To accede TO the demand, the result of
which was general -yoa-please.
IN which knives took prominent Dart
as settlers of the dispute During the
melee one Of the Aaks received a
severe cut on the hand, upon which he
set up howl demanding pay from the
Sitkans for the wound he had received
at their hands. Ii now being stand
Oh, in that members of both tribes had
received injuries one from the other.
peace was declared. providing that the
Auks wonld tender to their visitors
grand potiatch (fsast and dance) The
Auks. who are weaker tribe than the
sitkans, consented, AMI accordingly on
Wednesday evening last the ball was
opened. About once year the Sitkaas
come over and run bluff on their
weaker neighbors, during which they
make love to their most buxem sdaaws.
and gorge themselves until the larders
Of their hosts are well nigh exhausted.
Upon the evening of the dance the
whites of Jgn.au We're informed OF the
occasion and requested to come a.
spectators The band boys. for the
novelty of the thing, determined to
serenade the sons of the forest and
open up their ball in stvle that Mr..
Lo haf never seen the like Of before.
AZ -edingly the band and white spec
tators formed the line Of march at the
outskirts Of the village and. tn the tune
of Prisoners Hope and 'Marching
Through Georgia. = marched up through
the village, coming to halt in front
Of Chief Cow-ee's residence. Although
the odor Of dried salmon and seal
grease somewhat choked the PLAYERS,
they managed to finish the strain. The
old chief gave them a warm welcome
and extended to the band the great
honor of leading forth the dancers, who
were already costumed and ready
The band again formed the line Of
march, with the war chief Cow KIeek,
in front as drum major. and about
twenty-five Indian dancers, hideouslv
painted and dressed in costumes In
imi alton of the bear, fox, eagle. swan.
goose and other animals, interspersed
Throughout with bits VI bright coloring.
bringing up the rear.
The procession came to a stop in
front OF the hall, snake cabin some
twenty By forty feet. Upon the floor
inside, packed as close a. sardines in a
box, sat men, women and children
Two rows Of squaws occupy the front,
who IN perfect tune and with powerful
exercise of their lungs sing a chorus to
the chant Of the dancers. At a given
signal from the chief. who acts as floor
manager, the music strikes up; then
there follows flourish of swan wings.
and the dangers commence singing
and dancing. The excitement grad
ually increasing until they fairly howl.
some barking Ike dogs. some growing
like bears. Ihey grin and gnash their
teeth and comfort their bodies i'm all
shapes that thsir joints and muscular
developments will admit Of. Sweat
begins to ooze fDal every pore in their
bodies. One strE-,s to Guido the other.
for he is considered the best dancer who
can howl the loudest, grin the tiercesr
and comfort the most. After the first
set il finished bucket Of water i
passed around. from which each dancer
takes an enormous pail. all drisSing
out Of the bucket, and after about a
minutes rest the same performance
above described Is gone through with.
-4ALlit1 Free Press.