The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1912-04-10
INDIANS HAD
THEIR EASTER
Mrs. A. J. Splawn Explains Some-
Thing of the Ceremonial Be-
fore Arrival of Whites
WAS ALSO THANKSGIVING
FOR COMING OF SPRING
Proceedings Constituted an
Elaborate Concentration and
Were Altogether a Religious
Festival of the Rem Men

Indians of the Yakima country had
an Easter celebration which ante
dated the coming of the white men to
this portion of the country with their
religious ceremonies in commemora-
ton of the day and. according to
Mrs. A. j. Splawn, their manner Of
celebration and commemoration par
took something of the character of
the day as observed by the white man
and something of his Thanksgiving
day services. For the Information Of
those who are interested in the Indian
and his customs. particularly his
Easter customs, Mrs. Splawn has
written something of the ceremonial.
She says:
Preparing for the Day
Before the paleface set foot on
this portion of the globe and brought
with him his Easter Sunday the red
man kept sacred a day for thanks
giving, which day occurred at the be-
ginning of spring and was a most
solemn occasion, somewhat in the ma
ture of communion. In preparation
for the day there went forth the
salmon man of the tribe. whose duty
it is to watch for the coming of the
salmon and to catch some of them for
the feast and notify the high priest or
ceremonial master who, in turn, sends
words to the tribe. The squaws gather
roots, the camas, house. pe-ah-e and
sowicht, cook the salmon and make
great preparations
"The ceremonial house is made of
mats or reeds, the door always open
ing at the east end, while at the top
of the roof above the door are three
flags The center one is of blue. rep
resenting the sky, one is white for
earthly light and the third is yellow
for heavenly light of the spirit world.
These are the sacred colors of this
doctrine.
Rejoice for the Spring
Seated at the head or west end Of
the room is the master, in ceremonial
dress. He has inherited his honor
from a long line of ancestors. Behind
him stands his Interpreter. On the left
three drummers are seated with their
pum-pums. Three young squaws,
wearing their native hats, wait upon
the table The Indians are seated in a
circle and before each one is a new
mat, serving as a plate.
"In words following the nature of a
prayer the priest returns thanks to
the Great Spirit for the warmth and
light, for the passing of winter and
for the return of the spring. AT a
given signal he sups of the water, and
all present do likewise. He then talks
again and the pum-pums are once
again beaten, after which he tastes of
the different roots, and every one does
the same. This continues until the
salmon and roots have all been
sampled; then he signals to all to eat
heartily, after which they dance TIL Is
motion is a swaying from heel to toe,
with one hand spread out fan-like.
Brief TRANSACTIONS
During the dancing the partici-
pants chant. l caught this much, and
in our language it would read: our
Father made our bodies. gave them a
spirit and them moved Another
broke In with: Our Father put the
salmon in the water for our use Then
the priest passes out, carrying with
him two bells, one large and one
small The ceremony was repeated
for each successive table full
MARGARET c. SPLAWN."