Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-25
THE sun DANCE OF THE UTEs.
Religious Ceremony Which Has Lost
It's Ancient Barba rifles
From the Omaha Bee

From the Omaha Bee.
The social event. of Ute society took
place last week On The observation at Fort
Duchesne. 1t is known as the sun dance
and is undoubtedly one of the most inter-
esting of the Ame8ieans Indians peculiar
performances. This is the first time for
years that they have been permitted to
hold the dance. it having been prohibited
en- account of the tendency toward in
HI mainly md self-tortdre on the part OF
the performers. In. fact, a compare lively
few years ago 1t was conducted in the most
berharous manner possible. and was the
test or graduating exercise" Of the young
bucks to show their. courage and endur-
aDce. If they withstc cd the ordeal they
could then join the warriors band; if not
they were placed with the squaws and
compelled to perform the most mental
labor which fell to their lot.
However, he sun dance of today is quite
changed from that Of ten years ago. If the
agent refuses to permit them to hold the
dance near the agency they likely to
go to some out-of-the-way place in the
mountains and hold 1t. Consequently he
concluded 1t better to let them hold il
where it co I'D be watched, and II neces-
sary. regulated.
They constructed a sort of framework for
large tent or pagoda, about 100 feet
across. Vita the exception of a large en-
try-way, the sides were covered with
bushes, the Fop being open. The perform
erS were stationed around about one-half
the Enclosure. part of the balance of the
space being occupied by the Orchestra"
The dancers (ffty-four entered were at
tired in a gee-string, their bodies painted
in varied colorS, some copper color, others
yellow and others nearly white, to which
were added odd stripirgs and markings Of
ace and body in other bright shades Their
hair was neatly combed, and. as usual,
parted in the MIDDLE and braided in two
long strands, which were adorned with
feathers Of varied coicrs. Each wore a
small apron of some brilliant color, worked
with beads in odd designs, also adorned
with feathers. Each had an oddly con.
structed whistle with tuft of feathers at
tached.
The orch estra mot exactly a Theodore
Thomas organization. but one which SEEM
ed to please those most concerned) con-
sisted of big tom-tcm, upon which seven
or eight strong bucks delivered a deter
miEed assault with clubs, accompanied by
the dulcet voices of several sauaws who
at the same time might be ina gined as
kee ping time by waving branches. The
celebrated Midway Plaisance orchestra
was not to be compared with this.
The music starts up and each performer
takes his whistle in his mouth, and during
the performance with each breath adds to
the aiscord. With feathers in each hand
he starts from his place, and by short.
SUN Jumps, with feet together, goes to-
ward the celter pole upon which Is hung
banner with crude picture of a buffalo,
at which he intently gaZes and to which
he seems to be appealing. When the cen
ter Is reached the return is made by the
same kangaroo-like Jumps backward. This
Is kept up ifteer or twenty minutes, and
Ii some should not go forward or backward
each time they never cease jumping up and
down and swinging their heads while re-
naming in one place When the music or,
Jargon OF sounds, ceases each performer
usually drops down and makes the best of
the short rest, for it is only few mo
nsents before they must begin again and
keep 1t up lay and night without other
than those short rests, and without food or
ar rd s,. during the whole 'time-three days
With performers I6r orchestra and the
hundreds of Indans,bbf al ages and modes
OF attire present, a fBulytpovel and interest
ing spectacle is presented, especially at
weird picture and leaveso but little for the
imagination to CAUSE one to feel that he
Is part of the scepes 50 wildly pictured
In the yeilow-covesed IJ0-cent' novel of
ligent exclamation of zthe full meaning of
the peculiar perfor11antS. 1t is evident,
however. that undoubtedly number of OBJ
Jects are in view. The buffalo banner and
their actions towardiit show that they are
appealing to the monarch of the plains to
return.
The one who canLwithstand the ordeal
and be at the finish is fully empowered to
be bigh-ciass medicine man, and has the
additiohI honor of giving pony and
blankets to others Of the tribe, which he
does after he had sprinkled his gifts with
earth and gone through odd lamentations
over them. Nearly all remained through
the contest, but 1t may be depended upon
that not one will be caught doing stroke
OF work for the whole of the next year.
Yet ne can do but little less than any of
the others do