The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-04-25

S0Nt~A RtPos AC Observation-Disclosures
as this mode Of painting is called, il
done by painting the entire face red
with vermilion; then black line about
the breadth Of the little finger 10
marked across the forehead horizontal
" and down both cheeks to meet a line
drawn across the chin, thus forming q
square. Acenter line starts from the one
across the forehead and falls along the
nose to its point This black paint is
made of charcoal and prepared fat
Men. women and children belonging to
the Nenebatan (sacred pipe owners)
gentes Of the tribe, with few exceptions,
are painted in this manner after death.
When member of a society dies the
body is taken care OF by the fraternity,
and the burial ceremonies are trans
ferred from the family to the manage
ment Of the society. For instance, when
a member OF the Mawadane Society
dies the body Is taken immedi.
ately after death, while the body
is yet timber, to the lodge where the
society Is accustomed to meet. On its
arrival it is placed in sitting posture,
facing the east, and decked with the
regalia Of the society. The face Of the
corpse is painted in the manner in
which the man while living was accus-
toned to paint when attending the
meetings Of the society. In his right
hand is placed the "Ta-sha-gae." or
dcer's hoof rattle, which is carried
only by the leader OF the society. This
preparation of the body is done by the
relatives Of the deceased and one or
two members Of the society. When all
is complete the crier summons the MEM
bers, and these wend their way to the
lodge where the dead man sits as silent
host. The Mawadanc songs which
were the favorites Of the dead member
are then sung and the rhythmic steps
taken. while presents are laid on the
drum; these latter are offerings TO-
ward the funeral ceremonies. As
each gift is made the crier sings forth
the name OF the giver, that all the
village may hear Of the deed. While
the body lies in state in the lodge,
either Of the family or the society Of
which the deceased was a member, If
the person or his family are held in
high respect by the tribe, the young
men. those between the ages OF twenty
and thirty, gather together to perform
a ceremony expressive Of their esteem
and grief. Having stripped them
selves OF their garments, except the
breech-cloth, loop is cut through the
skin OF the arm. midway between the
point OF the shoulder and the elbow,
and the end OF willow twig, about
foot long having the leaves on. is thrust
through the loop Of skin. The blood
trickles down the willow stem and
spatters the hanging leaves. The
young men then walk slowly to the
lodge where the dead lies, and stand
abreast before the tent entrance. sing
ing the funeral song. each map accent
ing the time by striking together two
short sticks OF willow. All shed tears
as they sing. This song is an old one.
having been handed down from an
unknown past. 1t is the only funer-
al song in the Omaha tribe.
At the close Of the song the chief
mourner, whether man or woman,
steps forth from the lodge. wailing.
The young men join in the wall Of
the mourner, who advances with mp
lifted hands. and passes along the
line, pausing an instant at each per-
son. This act is an expression OF
thanks and acknowledgment Of the
sympathy and honor shown. When
the end Of the line is reached, the
mourner retraces his steps, and pulls
from each young mans arm tho blood
stained willow twig, throwing it on
the ground. Some relatives prepare
horse. the gift being an additional
acknowledgment Of the honor shown
the dead, which is often returned to
the donors after the funeral is over.
The young men, after being relieved
of their willows, return to their start.
ing point. where they dress and dis
band. This custom was last observed
about five years ago.
The burial takes place on the third
or fourth day after death. The inter-
yening period is busy time for those
having the funeral arrangements in
charge. Goods are collected from the
kindred to be given to the poor at the
time OF the interment. The grave,
never more than four feet deep. is dug
by poor man, who is paid for his
labor. The body is borne upon q
stretchcr made by binding two cross
sticks on two poles ten or twelve feet
long; tent poles are sometimes used
for this purpose. The bed OF the
ST. etcher is woven of willow wands,
on which robe is spread, the hairy
side uppermOst, and pillows are used
to keep the sitting corpse in position,
the feet being covered with robes or
blankets. The stretcher is sometimes
carried by four men, near relatives,
or drawn by q horse with a pack
saddle to which one end Of the poles
is fastened. The horse of the dead,
which is to be killed at the grave, is
led behind the litter, followed by the
crowd, wailing as they walk. When
the grave is reached the relatives
gather around the opening, the corpse
is lifted from the litter and held by the
bearers, while the robes in which it
sat are arranged for its reception in
the grave, where it is placed upon
them, facing the east, and the articles
OF value, chiefly ornaments worn by
the person during life, are deposited
beside the body. II the deceased be a
man, his weapons are then laid by his
side; If a woman, her sewing bag. con-
tanning her awl. quilts and articles
used for embroidery; If child, its
playthings are placed beside it.
At the burial OF a warrior his fa-
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