The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-30
Modern Indians Bring the
Annual Sun Dance Up to Date

1t Is also considered no violation of
tribal regulations for the dancer to eat
a watermelon, in case he can find one.
Before the ceremonies Of the sun
dance begins, a leafy bower is made to
shelter the dancers. A tall pole, paint
ed white and red in alternate sections
of eighteen inches, is planted in the
ground. At distance Of twelve feet
from the ground bunch Of green
branches, shaped something like a
sheaf Of wheat, is dashed in position,
giving in effect rude cross. Then
young trees, or large branches that will
stand twelve or fifteen feet in height
when the butts are thrust into the
ground, are ranged about in a circle,
with an opening to the east, and with
in this circle, about fifty feet in dame
ter, the braves loll in the shade of the
branches when they are not dancing.
The humping of the drum is the
signal for the dance to begin. Half a
dozen braves-who are not dancers
seat themselves about the drum, which
Is lying on one side on the ground
Each brave has a stick bound at one
end with cloth; and at a signal from
the leader, the music" begins.
Tum-tum-tum, tummy-tu mmy-tu n-
tum, tum-tum-tun, tummy- tummy
tum-tum. Over and over and over
again it is repeated At the sound of
the drum the dancers rise from their
beds Of hay, arrange the drapery which
hangs from the waist, and march forth.
Each little band follows its head man.
Outside the branch Enclosure the dane
ers form in single line. Each one has a
whistle in his mouth, and as the drum
heaters ply their sticks, the dancers
pipe on their whistles, keeping time
with the heaters.
The music is accompanied by sway
ing of bodies. For several minutes it
continues. Then the noise suddenly
ceases. and the dancers retire to their
quarters. At other times they come out.
single band at time, conducted by
the head men, and indulge in dances Of a
more energetic nature, marked by many
contortions of the body.
1t Is hot and trying work. especially for
men who are fasting. and there are fire.
quent intermissions,. when the distribution
the dancers. quit the circle than an aged
chief advances to the center and shouts
something In his native tongue at the top
Of his lungs He is calling for a member
Of the tribe, or visitor. He is an
nouncing what present he Is to receive,
and from whom it comes. The brave
whose name Is called appears, acknowl-
edges the gift, and his squaw takes it
away. In may be a bundle of calico, or a
horse with a bundle of calico, Or a fine
blanket, or a trunk or money. One gift
that Was announced at the dance this
year consisted Of a well built surrey. a
team Of horses. a set Of harness and a
pony tied at the side. This handsome
gift was received with no more demon
stration than If 1t had been trunk.
with a string of calico. No Indian be-
trays any show of surprise, no matter
what may be the value of his gift. Every
thing is taken as a inter of course.
White Eagle, for thirty-five years the
honored chief of the tribe. met "Joe'' Mil
Ter. of the "1O1'' ranch. at the time of the
dance. and gave him two $40 bills. 1t
did not surprise Miller, and White Eagle
made the gift In matter of fact manner
that cannot be imagined by anyone who
has not been witness to transactions of
this nature. Miller himself had given
away 800 or more and several horses.
His brothers had also "shelled OUT quite
as literally for their copper colored
friends.
The Poncas delight in particular to give
to their Indian visitors. One of the nota-
bles present this year was Standing Bear,
a Ponca chief of the North. whose reser-
walton is near Omaha. Standing Bear