The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-01-29
BIG INJUN MUST DANCE.
IT'S Not Only A CEREMONY BUT
A DUTY.
He Engages In 1t Upon All Occasions, Some.
times Through tho Most Horrible Tor.
turo-How Sioux Warriors Are
Made-.A Brutal Test.

oeai OF curiosity Is felt by many
as to the meaning Of the Indian dance
AS to why Indians should express
their feelings by dancing when civil
lied people would show their senti-
ments In a very different way. The
dance. among white Americans, Is
pastime; with the red man it Is both
ceremony and q duty. He dances
before he goes to war, he dances when
he returns; he dances at the death OF
his enemy and the burial of his friend.
The Sioux youth Dances or did dance,
through exquisite torture Into place
among the braves OF his clan, and
bears with him for life the marks of
the terrible ordeal. 1t was the fortune
OF Chicago Herald writer, when
about eighteen years of age-twenty-
six years ago-to witness the famous
sun dance. 1t is doubtful if this dance
will ever again be performed in all its
ancient glory, or perhaps "horror'
would be q more fitting expression.
The government long ago forbade the
sun dance on the Indian reservations,
and II performed at all it must now be
without the freedom and publicity
which were necessary to it's complete
success.
At the period mentioned Sitting Bull
was just becoming known as a leader
Of the hostile Sioux. 1t may be noted
here that Sitting Bull was not born
chief. He did not como by origin
from what McAllister might call the
Sioux four hundred. What fame and
influence he acquired were earned by
MS personal merits or dement's, &C.
cording as his acts are viewed from an
Indian or Caucasian standpoint.
After becoming an acknowledged chief
he was always regarded by the chiefs
OF aristocratic origin much as Napo-
leon was looked upon by the ancient
dynasties OF Europe-as an upstart
they are compelled to respect, but are
rather inclined to sniff at, On anoth-
err occasion the writer may have more
to say upon this ard kindred matters.
At present he will conine himself to
the sun dance. This dance is really
an imitation. No Sioux is obliged to
undergo it. The youth has his choice,
when arrived at manly age, of being
Woman-man-the word "squaw" is
unknown to the Sioux-or of proving
by the tortures of the sun dance that
he is fitted to be a warrior. If he
prefers to be q woman-man he will not
De lll-treated or even scotfed at. He
Will become a household slave, as the
women are, and be used like them, as
a hover of wood and drawer of
water to the mon of the tribe. He
must dress like the women, and like
them he is left at home when the
braves go to hunting or to battle. In
TACT, this treatment is such a matter
OF course that stranger might visit a.
camp and encounter any number of
these persons and have no reason to
suppose that they we're other than
women.
With the young man who does not
shrink from the sun dance it is a diff
1erent affair. His chances OF diving
under it are considerable. The writer
does not remember hearing any per-
centage stated, but the deaths, when
all the forms are rigidly complied
with, cannot be less than one in four.
Few white men could survive, but the
toughened constitution of the Indian
holds up marvelously when every nerve
must be in agony. It was in a Sioux
camp on a bluff near the Missouri Riv-
er that l witnessed the sun dance. In
a 'tepee, or tent, OF buffalo skin, four
or i've braves were dancing slowly and
deliberately around the center pole,
Keeping up monotonous chant. I
noticed that each of them was attached
TO the pole by long strings OF buffalo
hide In one or two cases the strin gs
were connected with the breast: in
the other cases with the back. The
muscular tissue near each nipple, if
the fastening was at the 'front.' had
been gathered by a grasp Of the hand,
and knife run through it. Then the
tough skin OF buffalo rawhide was
passed through the opening and con-
neoted with the pole. II the fastening
was at the back the process was SINH
lar The pain thus accustomed to the
victim may he imagined. He must not
only endure without a sigh or a groan,
but must forthwith proceed to dance,
and keep up the dancing without food
for days, If requisite, until the friction
OF the rawhide sewers the muscles and
releases the captive, Il full-tledged
brave.
He is then immediately fed bv a
rich soup prepared for the occasion,
and every care and attention that In
dtans know are bestowed UPON his re-
covery. The young man may be re-
leased from torture ut any time by
asking. In that easo he is doomed to
be woman-man, just as II he had
never offered himself as a candidate.
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