New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-28
THANKSGIVING
MISS FLETCBER'S ACCOUNT OF AN IN
TERESTING INDIAN CEREMONY.

Miss Alice Fletcher, who holds the Thor Fellow
ship At Peabody Museum. Harvard University. and
who has made q study Of the Indian races read q
paper before the authropologicaI section Of the
American Association for the Advancement Of Sci
ence IN Columbia University yesterday. Her sub
5ect Giving Thanks: A Pawnee Ceremony
She said in part:
During my recent visit TO the Pawnee tribe 7
vas so fortunate Is 10 be present at q ceremony
which was told had never before been observed
ny one OF my race As far my reading
Tnony account Oh Su'ii Z o7'e-
As was driven to the lodge Of Ti-hI-roos-sa-w
chi the old priest with whom I 10 hold
ing l noticed thar Re was naSed save FOR a
breech cloth and his black moccasins OF buffalo
hide knowing his careful observance OF all
dicated q preparation for some ceremony. and so
After greeting ne. he said. ct am about 10
thank Ti-ra-wa for the power granted 10 the
llse4llhe ! gave Jhe we and cn4d OF mat young
man pointing % gayIy dressed Indlan VINO stood
wish you can go into the lodge with US"
Thanking him for his invitation. and looking
just discern in The dim light Of the interior the
wife OF the priest sweeping the floor and making
standing. and christening the Iarats led them 10
each side OF the doorway She then carried three
mats into the lodge and spread one at me west,
one al the north. and one at me south Of the IRE
place The priest entered with q bundle IN ms
ne. Carrying my little camp stool. followed him
GUAR room As We entered ne slgnlted where
vas 10 sit placed my stool against one OF the
SACRED BUFFALO SKULL
I observed ~ the west side Of the lodge, facing
the entrance and between TWO OF the larger posts
which formed the inner circle about the IRE, the
upon q gayIy colored blanket. which was folded TO
make pillow. In front Of il stood z wand with
the fireplace lay the bundle which had seen the
priest carry into the lodge He proceeded 10 open
tainea upon the skin Of a buffalo calf upon which
The wife now entered carrying kettle Of corn
uush- which she placed the fireplace at the
southwest The mush was made Of corn dried in
z wooden mortar Of aboriginal type Il was boiled
u water drawn from running stream >. Sae next
number q buffalo norm spoons threaoeo on a SIP
o leather These she placed on a MAJ near ILs s
ketyle q mush. The bowls and spoons were OF
Indian manufacture.
The fireplace was encircled by q ridge OF earth,
nat on top and broad enough TO receive of1efiags
reII r--+oEsS 80 'i,i,7e 80 r. The sunlight
and touched the edse of the gayy colored mat At
The back % the sombre hued dwelling, IN the
cl-use5 light. could be seen against the walls the
Ole divans OF springy sapings with curtains Of
reed mats and The lodge roof sagging with age
ate the hard usage Of wind and rain
nat spread a. The north side Of the fireplace and
So on re one Pte GO a - bo-L- +bair
80 as they were seated they threw Dach NE, tIietI
blankets and revealed their embroidered bucksKln
----=@i-ss- decorated shirts End bead necAId'es
Their glossy hair which was parted in the mid
Gle hung in braids and interviewer win
eoored bands. None OF the men were painted
PAWNEE WORD OF THANKS.
After pause the priest took from the open
ge1Gie small pipe with black bowl and round
No21en stem, filed II with native tobacco. anG
Rssseo IL 10 one % the young men az the sogJh,
@L9o IL II and returned # the priest The
~ pointed The stem upward then placed Il 10
e. APs and sent puff % smoke up 70 the Dine
- Nalcn could be through the ceHTrat
,pehng 4 second whiT was blown downward
- 80 ne fireplace and third was waited over
Fe-zy55Aao skull 70 the west. Then the priest
&C., ne pipe back 10 the young man. VINO
- - smoke upward and downward. and passed
&C., - on 70 The other men, VINO observed ne
r-es- N-rsHaony- The pipe then came back 70 th2
eshes IN 'front.' q the skull He nexr passed MS