The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1908-06-17

wears have we been promised an eX-
hibition of the Indian sun dance dur
ing our summer festivities and as the
bankers are again presenting 1t as
feature OF their coming convention
a description of this famous religious
ceremonial, observed generally among
the American Indians UP to the time
of its suppression by the government
a number of years ago, may be in
teresting to Herald readers.
Two years ago as we drove out to
the fair grounds on the day announc-
ed for the sun dance as given by the
Yakimas OF long ago, we met
bright. well dressed Indian of middle
life who laughingly hailed us with
the remark, you'll nave to hurry CT
you'll miss the sun dance!" accom-
ponied by grunt as expressive as
the shrug of a Frenchmans should
ers. We laughed back reply APP
preciating the amusement OF the ma
tive who knew so we'll that the red
man of our valley today would need
a stronger incentive than even
bankers promise to pay to induce
him to undergo what to his forefath-
ers was willing sacrifice for the
good of their people and their own
honor.
We will give brief description OF
the ceremonies which would require
many columns for ITS complete de-
scription. These notes have been TAX
en- from the reports of the Bureau OF
American Ethnology as prepared by
three reliable students of Indian life.
one, from which | have most free
" quoted. being Tieton named
Bushotter, who gave his history II
the dance in the language of the Da-
kotas.
While the ceremonies of the sun
dance entire continue over six days
the first three are devoted to prepar-
alton and gathering OF the tribes.
/ ne name gwen ny INC DaNo'"9 "
the performance is "Wi-wazang Wa
tci-pi," the literal translation being
sun looking at they dance. 9th
~ tribes have similar names accord
ing to their language.
First some one who has decided
10 offer himself for the ordeal, takes
numerous sweat baths. drinks much
If medicinal herb teas, and gives
ieast at which he announces his in
tention TO thus serve his people. II
nay be because of Il famine or cpl
demic among thent or as an appeal
to his sun god for some great favor
especially desired.
He expects at tie close of the OBJ
servance vision from the great sun
spirit. And this will mean to HIM
self great respect and honor in his
tribe as well as an answer to his
prayer.
First he himself must become puri-
fed must live apart, fast, pray and
fumigate his person with fragrant
herbs. He must use neither knife,
pipe or other instrument or article
that has ever been used by another.
all must be new and cleansed.
A large space of earth is then puri-
fed in like manner with sweet grass
Nd &c 1nd
"U-ma-ne," or "The Mellowed Earth
Space" and represents the unappro-
priated life or power of the earth.
The U-ma-ne symbol is square with
extending points at each corner and
typifies the earth space and four
winds blowing from it. While the
devotee is in preparation he has reg
ular periods of devotional exercises
and his people devote their time to
gathering numerous gifts of food,
garments and other valuables to be
distributed among the poor at the
close of the dance.
Invitations are extended far and
near, anu all, even tTlDdl tutlHltS,
meet in kindly unity, treating each
other as brothers and often cement
relations of future .amity true and
lasting. All tents are pitched in a
tribal circle opening to the north.
This circle is often very large and
within it in more modern times horse
racing, stories of battle and great
victories are shouted, where in earlier
times all marched on foot ornament
ed as now with war bonnets, rich
robes and decorations of paint and
feathers, beads and animal claws.
Those who are chosen to select the
mystery tree which is to form the
dance pole, ride forth wildly upon
their quest. When they find suit
able tree, they attack 1t furiously,