The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1895-05-16
INDIAN MEDICINE / MEN.
THOR Importance and Innuen 90
Among tho DalSotaha.

Among tho DaEObnnd
An Explanation Of Their wOrdcrfuI
Cures nringlng tho "Dcad TO tdre"--
Ceremonies Attending the Initia-
tion Of IA Neophyto.
Mr.. Paul Bcckwith has Published an In
toresting paper on the Dakotahs In the re-
ports OF the Smithsonian Institution; and
among other things he remarks that the
modicino-man, or high priest, IL invariably
a chief; and although no maintains his
sway by the use OF mysteries and incanta-
tons, nevertheless at times shows power
which is not understood by those outside
tho cult or brotherhood, and through q
knowledge Of tho medicinal properties Of
herbs often performs cures that lead one to
believe he 10 not altogether the chailatan he
10 represented His cures are often the
wonder OF the United States army sur
geons.
An incident in point Ia cited in the case Of
an Indian who one day came staggering
into camp with his leg horribly swollen
from the bite OF n vcnomous snake The
camp surgeon could do nothing for the suf-
feror; but he was completely cured by the
medlcine-man. Another case is quoted
In which cataract OF tho eye was
cured by inserting brass filings into
tho affected organ. 10 impress upon
tho mind Of tho patient tho divine nature Of
his medicine, tho medicine-man adds TO the
efficacy OF his remedy mysterious panto.
mines, con;ortions OF tho body and features,
always to n drum accompaniment. II the
patient in affected with a serious allment,
he placos paper or bark figure on tho
I .H.fI. a.. A. r.. -
II, he fires 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
tho Great Spirit, who confors upon them q
spiritual medicine 80 powerful that they can
kill at will, resuscitate the dead and euro
the sick. This spiritual medicine is repre-
scented by any thing that strikes the fancy
rs bunch OF feathers, claw, bird, or tho
head Of an animal
When a council is held, barricade Is
erected In the form Of an clllpse, and tont
Is raised at each end OF tho Enclosure, one
for the high priests OF medicine men and
the other for ten men who have been Sc
lected to keep order and conduct tho cero-
mony. The high priest, from his seat In
the medicine-tont, appoints four assistants,
ono bearing n drum, one pillow and stick,
one rattle, while the last assists by grunt-
Ing. A big drum In the center Of the circle
10 bong constantly beaten by several drum
ners. The high priest then speaks to thom
Of the holy dance which was founded ccntu-
ries ago and tells them OF the povcr OF
tho medicine OF their ancestors, and warn
lng'.Bkeptics not TO scoff OF them or their
craft, as they have the power OF thrusting
claw or stone through the bodyof any ono at
will, causing instant death. In proof OF
this assertion, no calls one OF his assist
ants TO him, and points toward him with the
mcdicino-bag, at tho same timo putting at
him with his lips, whoroupon the assistant
falls TO tho ground apparently senseless.
Then the priest salaams TO the four points OF
the compass, and invokcs tho Great Spirit
TO aid him aud the other members present
iu bringing the dead brother 10 life. Tho
drums are then beaten and frantic dance
is begun, when tho hieless form gradually
returns TO consciousness, aud spits into his
hand a mass Of froth aud blood, in which is
found claw or q stone The high priest
now dances around the circle, and, waving
his mcdicine-bag, blows upon some one else,
who in tho same manner falls to the ground
senseless. Tho chief continues and the
dead man, reviving, assists In shooting
others, until the Enclosure Ia full Of bowling
savages dancing, yelling and shooting each
other.
When now mombor Is Initiated, no Is
taken into the council-tent for instructions,
which are secret. lie is then stripped OF
his clothing, excepting m apron about his
loins and mocassns on his feet. He Is then
painted entirely black, except small rcd
spot between his shoulders The candidate
is exhorted to DO good, and is told
that his medicine will be correspond
I lngly powerful, and that he must give
feast once year. III ho does
not, he will meet with mlsfortunes, sick
ness or death. The candidate now receives
| 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 tho four points OF the
compass, mutters an incantation, and
thrusdng the bag toward him, says; ''TherC
| goes the spirit" The candidate then fail,
| PROSTATE, and blankets, skins, ornaments
etc, are thrown as offerings over tho can
didate. Az command Of the high priest the
novice recoters, and Is presented with the
mediolne-bag, becoming q recognized mem
Der OF the order After these ceremonies
the feast begins, and the food which has
been cooking before tho tent Of the assist
ants is distributed among the people. TIL,
dance lasts from daybrcak TO daybrcak o.
the day following; and as these dances are
frequently given in winter with the Their
mometer often far below zero, IL may easily
DO imagined how tho candidates must suffer
clad as they are in coat Of paint. 1t II
generally understood that the members o.
the order have secret signs and passes, bu
tho penalty OF exposure Is so sure and swii
that none OF tho secrets aro ever divulged
I'M taaN Nuhf ~
indiscreet members have mysteriously bu
permanently disappeared, ut the instance
il is supposed, Of the mediclne-men.