The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-26
SANG TO THE GREAT SPIRIT.
PAGAN SENECAS HEAR THE
CHANT OF the WHITE DOG
New Years Ceremony Long in Disuse
Conducted by an Aged chief In the
Long House OF the Tribe--So white
Dog TO Garry the Message. Though.

'''hN''N w Ah NbNh W WV
Long House OF the Tribe-No white
Dog TO Carry the Message. Though.
LAwroS's STATION, n. Y. Feb. 25.-The
Seneca Indians OF western New York have
ended their New Years feast For ten
days they have celebrated the midwinter
festival in their Long House on the reserva-
ton, milo from Lawton's Station.
The time honored customs Of the Indian
New Year are over. The grotesque dances
Of wooden faces and husk clad harvest
spirits, the thrilling war dance. the fan
tastic feather dance have ended for year
Each has left its lasting impression in the
minds of the people OF this fading race
OF all the ceremonies, the one which will
linger ever vivid in the memories Of the
Senecas was the "Wae-yet- gon-to,' prayer
song to He who made u.s. by Chief Ga
ni-yas Of the Wolf clan. the venerable
leader of the pagan Indiana of New York.
Nothing was so impressive. so dramatic,
so touching. as this prayer song to the
Great Spirit. Originally it was ohanted
during the burning of the white dog, but
for score Of years tho sacred white dog
has been extinct among the Senecas and
never since has the prayer song been heard
in the Long Houses where ceremonies are
celebrated.
The old chiefs have viewed with increas-
ing sorrow the decay OF the religion and
race, and believing it due to the neglect OF
old covenants with the Great Spirit impor
tuned old Chief Crow to recite again the
prayer that once gave the nation strength
to conquer the evil things and thoughts
that the white invader brought.
When the aged priest stood at the altar
before the yawning fireplace tho people
bowed their heads. tears coursed down the
furrowed coppery cheeks OF the older men.
younger men breathed hard with sup
pressed emotion. and the women hid their
faces in their shawls. With barred heads the
company OF the faithful sat around the
square before the altar
The striped dog pole leaned against the
fireplace but there was no dog. The white
mans civilization had swept all away and
the Great Spirit would not send more. The
preacher must therefore, pray more ear
nestly. for now there was no spirit OF the
faithful dog to carry the message with 1t.
The tobacco smoke alone remained TO do
| this A basket OF exquisite workmanship
filed with the sacred herb stood on the
hearthstone al the preachers feet.
D No bTleFtly IODt'S hGbIuttl lllt bIl NIlltl'
I He had no beaded shirt of buckskin, gay
/ with brilliant spauglea, no painted pouch
! Of elkslin no red sandstone pipe, no ein-
| broidered moocasns, nor did even an eagle
/ feather dangle from his flowing locks. He
Z wore n black square cut suit and polished
1 kid shoes, vet beneath this varnish Of civil
| zation beat heart as strongly Indian in
I feeling as that OF any medicine man OF the
I Sioux or Apaches
The wood In the fireplace snapped and
~. ~. r.. 1 s1,s.l aaVN Ava,
( yellow flames His back was turned toward
/ the assembly, "a he ntoned the sacred
| words:
aHohl Hohl Hohl" he cried. and then the
/ people knew that the Great Spirit was
I listening This was what he said.
pa ne agwa oneh nehwah onehl
ia sah-tope-dot On oyah geb chijahl
Ees neh Haweninl
Gaoh ya-dat5-no doh
! 'naho agWuh hiya heoweh gatyan GOT
O-gai yaugweonii ogaukwa owehl
In English II may be rendered thus:
Vow al this time We are beginning
ON listen. thou great father!
You are the Great Spirit
We stand around tho pole
~ this appointed season
on now send word 90 heaven
ON listen you who live above,
Look down and see how few OF us are left
Many more called upon you long agol
DO DO" not forget us because the old men
/ have gone now!
'rhe listening Indians were speuDound
as the intoned words poured from the lips 81
the preacher Each felt new JOY kindng
Louder then the preacher called and then
his voice broke and sank 20 whisper
Nv voice il old my people. he said
but the Great Spirit will help me. Tor Ia
to Him"
Then with one supreme effort he struggled
ON his body swaying with intense earnest
ness. and his voice rang true and distinct
again
Nyebave YOUR words 10 us about thanking,
80 We have come at this appointed season
10 please YOU who live above the world
pat tobacco ia the names 10 III MY "oT"s
oh you great maker Of all
Vow listen 90 your ohudren,
oh do not forget your children.
Ne ~" Want Want the sane blessings you have
/ always given
For two hours the pagan preacher
chanted calling upon the Great spirit.
TO most white men pagan Indian means
-iIuerstitioils savaga But that Is not
to,e of the pagans here They are honest,
sober and thoughtful men. who owe the
COD of Nature and worship him devoutly
one has only to listen TO the prayer song
and watch the faces OF the listeners 10
discover this III. 800,
and gs thew assemble in the Long House
ali are in ordinary attire, vet beneath al
there is the Indian heart and no influence OF
/ civilization can change it's beating from
the old way.
Tho preacher lowered h' voice
on. Great Spirit listen while you are smok-
!" We are all Young people now
We only talk like children