Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29
THE GHOST DANCE.
II Il . Combination Of the Circling Crow
and Sum Dance.

sEIEr TALK WITH nB. PAUL REcKwrrH-rHE
N REPORT TO THE SMITHSONIAN NsrrruT-
TON TWO YEARS AGO.
ssTNHE ghost dance Of tho Sioux in Dakota, {"
Il said Mr.. Paul Beckwith Of the Smith
sonian Institution to STAR reporter, 81 be-
lieve to be the Wa-kan-wa-ci-pi-holyo or medi-
cine dance. Wakan is translated as meaning
spirit or holy. The Holy Ghost in Sioux
is Wakan-tanka, /. e., literally great or
holy spirit. You will readily see from this that
the word Wakan is translated as holy, spirit,
also ghost The dance itself believe to be the
Wa-kan-wa-ci-pi, as they have in this dance regu-
lar ceremonies Of initiation which they have in
no other dance. The Sioux have added some
of the few features of the sun dance. As their
language is superlatively 6gurative one, their
| ceremonies are symbolical. would therefore
conclude those features Of the sun dance SYM
boLcal or illustrating. Courage, fortitude, in
difference to physical pain and like traits are
added to- the Wa-kan-wa-ci-pi, which is simply
their religion, and as the question Of the adj
vent OF their Messiah is purely religious re-
1oieing, SO the determination Of the whites a
purely revengeful rejoicing. 1t seems to me
that the two dances illustrating the two feat
ures would naturally be combined. Also from
| VIC hOabci uccouutS We nave 0ad OF the ghost
dance recognize the spirit as well as the ac-
ton portrayed in the two Dances"
| good description Of the circling crow and
the sun dances was given by Mr.. Beckwith in
his Notes on Customs Of the Dakotas.' q
Smithsonian report of 1883. In this publica-
| ton he said:
THE cIRCLINa CROW DANCE.
Pa-gi-mi-hi-na-ka Wa-ci-pi.-The circling
crow dance, also called the straw or grass dance,
is controlled by three men, the most influential
| OF the tribe, who wear peculiar insignia,
tunic OF crow and eagle feathers attached to
belt ornamented with beads and quilts; over
the small OF the back project two sticks several
inches long; at the ends are jingling bells,
every motion OF the wearer causing the sticks
to-vibrate and the bells to jingle. These tunics
are held sacred, and no profane hand allowed
10 touch them. The next officers Of the order
are the four drummers, each provided with q
baton or office, a stick wrapped with porcupine
quilts and strings Of beads, the four sticks
being used to suspend the drum, and a large
wash tub or cheese box, covered with skin, the
sides draped with fine cloth, ornamented with
feathers. beads and quills The duties of the
drummers are to strike the drum with full
force and to keep up an incessant singing.
stewards are appointed to collect provisions,
which are rarely refused When sufficient is
men are notified, who calling the lodge, make
arrangements for the dance. The crier
then goes through the camp announcing when
and where the dance will be held.
The three chiefs appear in their feathered
tunlcs and the members in their most brilliant
paint. Seating themselves upon the ground.
wrapped in their blankets up to the eyes, the
drummers open the ball. the dancers throw
their blankets aside and, springing to their
feet, brandish their tomahawks or knives with
violent gestures and an occasional whoop,
chant and dance for a few moments, resume
their blankets and seats, leaving one in the
ring. who, fiercely gesturinS and wildly waving
tomahawk or knife. will brag numerically over
some exploit in war or chase; again all jump
up, dance and yell. A repetition Of the same
performances is gone through with again and
again for several days or until the pro-
visions are consumed. They will initiate
animals, taking raw meat or a fish, snarl,
growl and snap over it, tearing it with
their teeth like the wild beast they are SO well
initiating. All questions are first discussed by
the head men in council, pro and con, and are
then put to vote, the votes in the affirmative
represented by stone. those in the negative
by piece of wood. No decision is arrived at
until after many pOw-wOws; even then another
lodge will be called in to participate. A ques-
ton OF importance once decided, the head
chief of the band will be called in, whether a
member of the lodge or not, and he must per-
form the mission they have intrusted him with,
and as their influence is largely kept up
through these orders the chiefs are glad Of
these commissions. There are no signs or pass
words. and with the exception Of
the skunk skin garter, deliberately orna-
mented with beads, there is moth
ing to designate the members from the outside
world. Though this order is of late date it is
the most powerful among the Indians. Dur
ing this dance if member wishes a divorce
from one or more Of his wives (they generally
add one or two just before the dance for this
p1rpose), he proclaims that he (naming him
self throws away (naming herr, and she is no
longer his wife. An outsider, by payment. can
deputize member to act for him. No men,
Der will act as spokesman for any one not a
member unless paid retainer's fee. generally
gun or q horse; the more influential gain SO
to 100 horses during the year. but have to give
away as many to retain their influence.
There are no ceremonies OF limitations they
generally give horse, starting him off with
cut OF the whip, for anyone who chooses to
catch him. The order is q charitable one. An
old woman called on the order, stated her pow
erty; Immediately the crier was sent around
| the camp, and in few hours the members were
all present. as they will drop any work or
pleasure when called. The leader stated the
| cause of the meeting; the result was -four and
pork, thirteen blankets, calico. fine cloth and
| skins. Another instances: An Indian. wishing
to build house. invited the order to a feast;
| as he was not member one stated his wants.
After the feast the building soon COM
pleted. Though charitable and social society
| 1t is one very much feared; and there exist
lodges among all the different tribes and bands
| throughout the great northwest.
THE SUN DANCE.
Hi-wau-gag Wa-ci-pi-the sun dance-The
Sioux are superstitious and firm believers in
dreams, signs and Omens. This dance is given
| to avoid sickness or any misfortune that may
| have been foretold by dream, sign or omen.
1t is self-inAicted punishment the Indian I'm
dergoes to propitiate the Great Spirit.
circle Is formed Of green branches stuck
into the ground. In the center forming a
| triangle arc planted three poles or saplings,
one much longer than the other two the trunks
cleared Of branches excepting tuft ut the
tops, piece of white calico is fastened on one
and piece Of red cloth on the other, both
| burnt after the dance, as they are then con-
| sidered sacred. To each Of the poles is fastened
| stout thong as high as q mans head from
the ground. The dancer takes his place in the
center Of the triangle and making incissions
through the flesh on shoulders and
breast ties the ends of the thongs
| through the incissions and places be-
| tween his lips a small quill whistle, through
which he breathes, at each respiration, giving
| shrill whistle. He is clothed only in q shawl
tied around his waist, falling to his knees, his
body painted black, hair loose and hanging
| upon his shoulders and with rings Of white
rabbit skins tied in his flesh on shoulders and
| legs. As the sun sinks below the horizon this
dance Of torture is commenced by q slow side
wise motion Of the body as each foot
| is raised and lowered, their eyes fol-
lowing the course Of the sun as it
revolves around the earth, and as it rises above
| the horizon their eyes are kept fastened upon