The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-01-03
INDIAN FESTIVE HABITS.

ul4CGudLSu NY lllOllotUllulAo
drumming of tom-toms and in
termittent yelps of squaWs and
shrill squeals of juveniles, these
are familiar sounds to frequent
ers of localities where reside any
of the numerous tribes of blan-
ket Indians, as the aborigines
celebrate some suspicious occa-
sion by a production of the time
honored green corn or sun
dances.
These ceremonies are peculiar
ly a part of northern Wisconsin.
Word is sent out in a mysterious
manner and the scattered red
skins come trooping to the pre-
scribed scene of the festivities,
rallying from nearby points as
we'll as from localities often 100
miles distant.
For many days preceding the
dance, or dances, great prepare
tions are in progress in the
camp. Stores of edibles are
placed in care of the squaws of
the band, and are guarded with
jealous care.
All night preceding the feast
day the camp fires are kept
brightly burning, and all is a
hustle of anticipation. None but
the braves sleep, and these retire
to their tepees early to gain rest
and strength for the ordeal of
the morrow.
At the break of day the camp
is astir, and soon the partici-
pants in the festivities make
their appearance. Some have ar
rived a day or two in advance,
on foot, on ponies, and whole
families in wagons. These have
encamped at a convenient dis
lance. Soon the stragglers come
Looping into view, singly, in pairs,
and in numbers, and presently
the preliminary session is in
progress.
The day wakes and Wanes, and
| yet the guests do not evince any
impotence at the hardness of
the festal preparations. They
know full we'll that at the proper
time each and every one will re-
ceiye his or her share, and be-
sides the unspoken etiquette of
the Indian camp prevails.
Finally the master of ceremo-
MES makes his announcement,
and all begin to prepare for the
dance, which will begin with the
falling of the shades of night.
No brilliant costumes mark the
opening of the dance-so far as
the male contingent is concern
ed, with the exception, perhaps,
of the chief official, whose deco
ration consists of a wand or club
about three feet long, from which
hangs a number of bright color
ed strips of cloth. This serves
to direct special features of the
evolutions and punctuate the re-
marks of the major domo should
the enthusiasm show signs OF
tagging, which seldom occurs.
But the squaws-the bellies of
the ball,as it were-be they from
ever so poor a family, are seldom
lacking in decorations of some
sort, Brightly polished copper
or brass bracelets, huge shining
earrings and decorations Of
brightly colored beads, and glis-
tening spangles twinkle in the
light OF the Pickering flames OF
the camp fire and lend a touch of
barbara beauty to the scene.
Without the women the dances
would suffer, in more ways than
one, for aside from their Gull
nary contributions to the occa-
sion, their highly attuned falset-
to voices lend a distinctive key
to the vocal din which is ever
present.
Suddenly ouS upon the night
air there sounds the resonant
notes of the tomtom, calling the
dances, No promoter is neces-
sary to aid the Indians in form
ing the large circle in which the
figures of the dance is perform
ed. Seated in the center are four
squaWs, each with a drum which
resembles wooden chopping
bowl with a skin tightly stretch
led over the top. To the notes,
sounding a weird call, ''tum-tum-
Itum, tum-tum-tum, tum-tum-
| tl1m " ara added tho nioro;,,o