The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-05-20
INDIAN MEDICINE MEN.
Their Importance aud influence Among
the Dakotahs.
An Explanation Of Their Wonderful Cures
Bringing the "Dead to Lye"-
Ceremonies Intending the Litia-
ton of q Neophyte.

Nj. Paul Beckwith has published an
interesting paper on the Dakotahs in the
reports of the Smithsonian Institution ;
and among other things he remarks that
the m~edlcine-man, or high priest, is
invariably a chief; and although he main
talns his sway by the use Of mysteries
and lncantations, nevertheless at times
shows a power which is not understood
by those outside the cult or brotherhood,
and through a knowledge of the medicinal
properties OF herbs often performs cures
that lead ole to believe he is not alto
getheT the charlatan he is represented.
his cures are often the wonder of the
Uunlted States army surgeons.
An incident in point is cited in the case
OF an Indian who one day came stagger-
ing into camp with his leg horribly swollen
f1om the bite of a venomou snake. The
camp surgeon could do nothing for the
sufferer but he was completely cured by
the medIclne-man. Another case is quoted
IN which a cataract of the eye was cured
by inserting brass filings into the affected
organ. 10 impress upon the mind Of the
patient the divine nature of his medicine,
the medlclne-man adds to the efficacy of
his remedy mysterious pantomimeS, con-
tortionS of the body and features, always
to a drum accompaniment. If the patient
is affected with a serious ailment, he
places a paper of bark figure on the ground,
and, while the patient is held over it, he
fires a gun, by which act the sickness
passes into the image in the ground and
is killed by the discharge Of the gun.
They claim that all this power is received
from the Great Spirit, who confers upon
them a spiritual medicine so powerful that
they can kill at will, resuscitate the dead
and cure the sick. This spiritual medicine
is represented by any thing that strikes
the fancy-as a bunch of feathers, a claw,
a bird, or the head of an animal.
When a council is held, a barricade is
erected in the form of an ellipse, and a
a tent is raised at each end Of the Enclosure,
0ne for the high priests of medicine-men
and the other for ten men who have been
selected to keep order and conduct the
ceremony. The high priest, from his seat
in the m~edicine-tent appoints four assist
ants, n bearing a drum, one a pillow
and stick, one a rattle, while the last
assists by granting. A big drum in the
center Of the cicle is being constantly
beaten by several drummers. The high
| PA4NOO A4ASA4 OPSoNo w C44CLh VI OAO AOA
dance which was founded centuries ago
and tells them of the power Of the medi-
cine of their ancestors, and warning
skeptics not to scott at them or their craft,
as they have the power Of thrusting a
claw or stone through the body of any
one at will, causing instant death. In
proof Of this assertion, he calls of his
assistants to him, and points toward him
with the medicine bag, at the same time
putting at him with his lips, w~hereupOn
the assistant falls to the ground apparently
senseless. Then the priest Salaams to
the four points Of the compass, and invokes
the Great Spirit to aid him and the other
members present in bringing the dead
brother to life. The drums are then
beaten and a frantic dance is begun, when
the lifeless form gradually returns to con-
seriousness, and splits into his hands a mass
of froth and blood, in which is found a
claw or a stone. The high priest now
dances around the circle, and waving his
medicine-bag blows upon some one else,
who in the same manner falls to the
ground senseless. The chief continues
and the dead man." reviving, assists in
shooting others, until the Enclosure is full
of bowling savages dancing, yelling and
shooting each other.
When a new member is initiated, he is
taken into the council-tent for Instructions
which are secret. He is then stripped OF
his clothing, excepting an apron about
his loins and mocassins on his fee He
is then painted entirely black, except
small red spot between his shoulders. The
candidate is exhorted to be good, and j!
told that his medicine will be correspond
ingly powerful, and that he must give
a feast once a year. If he does not, h
will meet with misfortunes, sickness o.
death. The candidate now re 2eives the
holy claw or stone. The medicine-man
approaching him from the east, describes
the course of the sun with the medicine
bag, and bowling to the four points of tn,
compass, mutters an incarnation, AM
thrusting the bag toward him, says
"There goes the spirit. The candidat,
; then falls PROSTATE, and blankets, skins
ornaments. etc., are thrown as offering
over the candidate. At command of tn
: high priest the novice RECEIVERS, and /
, presented with the medicine-bag. becOm
: ing a recognized member Of the order
) After these ceremonies the feast begins
r and the food which has been cookin.
before the tent of the assistants is dis
, tributed among the people. The dane
lasts from daybreak to daybreak of tn
T day following; and as these dances ar
frequently given IN winter with the ther
mometer often far below zero, it ma
i, easily be imagined how the candida
must suffer, clad as they are in a coat O
10 paint. 1t is generally understood tina
the members of the order have secre
,, signs and passes, but the penalty Of ex
> posure is so sure and swift that none Q
!, the secrets are ever divulged. There ar
. well-known instances in which indiscree
, members have mysteriously but perman
, emily disappeared, at the instance, it
c,rDocnd Of tho ,oodicipo man