New-York tribune., 1901-03-15
AN INDIAN WEDDING.
CEREMONY PERFORMED IN THE PRES
ENCE OF THOUSANDS AT THE
SPORTSMEN'S SHOW AT MAD
ISON SQUARE GARDEN.

An Indian marriage according to the rites of the
Ojibway tribe in the heart of old New-9orH ana
in the presence of thousands of spectators is per-
formance not often duplicated in connection with
a sportsman's exposition. and when dashing DUCK
was joined in wedock to rather comely indian
maiden at Madison Square Garden last night there
was not much standing room in the amphltneatre.
The spectacle a modernized representation OF
the marriage of Hiawatha and Minnehaha' ana
the principal figures in the ceremony last night
were Kabaoosa, a lively looking brave. twenty
years of age. and Me-zhah-qua Mitquao In the
Indian language as spoken by the OJioways' the
groom's name means "Centenarian' The mean
ing of the Indian maiden's name, like that OF MIN
nehaha, has a rather pleasant jingle. slgnltylhg
clear Skies
At tha conclusion of the ceremony the drama of
.Hiawatha" went smoothly. if the whole was
one play, of which there had been abundance OF
rehearsing. The first act OF the ceremony showed
the bride and her father and mother on their way
in canoe to the little island in the centre OF the
lake. Long poles are arranged. and in few sec
onds a typical Indian tepee has been erected
There are suitors for the hand OF the oark
haired maiden. who has entered the tepee with
her parents The first suitor is seen approaching
the island in n canoe, carrying with him the name
of Pau-puk Kewis As soon as he reaches the island
he begins banging dolefully on tom-om and chant
ing mOurnfuy he skips around the tepee the
Indian maiden thrusts her head out OF the tepee.
sees the wooer shakes her raven locks disdain-
away. apparently, not much concerned at MS re-
fusal.
The second and successful suitor appears TO De
rather diaory and 1t is several minutes before his
canoe comes in sight. He goes through the same
performance. except that he does not make quite
so much racket as did the rejected suitor, and he
does not dance with quite the same grace HIS
reception is gracious. for the Indian maiden
appears this time with smile upon her tace, toss
ing her raven tresses coquettishly she advances
I,- ha,,J in hat Of her
walk about the tepee in matter of fact way for
a few minutes. Then the maiden remembers her
duty her parents. and she skips into the tepee
10 consult papa about the dowry arrangements.
The veteran Indian appears alone and consuts
with the happy bridegroom about the dowry- The
latter assures the big chief that his family stands
we'll I'm the Ojhway tribe, and that he is able 10
purchase his bride. according TO the Indian rules
and regulations. The bridegroom HES himself away
20 consult with his father about the dowry. and
that part OF the contract arranged the two men
again canoe the island with their little birch
bark boat loaded down with the presents Tor the
father of the bride. These presents are rich col
ored blankets. robes and unIined animal skins
hnery dear 10 the heart of the Indian. The glits
is carefully examined by the ia her of the bride
evidently to that'none is moth eaten or ragged
The gifts proving satisfactory. the respective
fathers enter a canoe and go away invite the
other members Of the tribe 10 the ceremony. The
to the island where Nauabozho. the high medicine
tribe. joins the lovers according 10 the
Ojibway rites and they have reached that
point In the story where they supposed to live
happily thereafter. The medicine iuvokes the
four winds. and then there is more chanting and
dancing. The Indians perform deer dance. and
then the rejected suitor is called upon TO do what
the Indians call "beggar dance" He is an agile
Indian. the dance seems 10 he composite of
a society two-step and Irish reel, with oCca
sional fling of the heels peculiar TO the Southern
darkies' hoedown or pigeon wing. The spectators
applauded his Syrations. and he appeared to be
he happiest buck on the Island. The performa nee
concluded with the singing of the love ION
away! Awake. beloved" by Charles Wagner
Beach of Ottawa.
SHOOTING CONTESTS.