The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-11-29

pile before the chief then shut the door curtain.
The chief then announces. Now We will purify
ourselves" and throws some cedar twigs on the
hot stones. then splash of water, upon which
understanding steam arises He then cries. Fire.
water, cedar-purify us takes a stick from his
bundle and lays it aside, whereupOn all the candl-
dates Cry Hoo He then throws on more twiSs
and another splash of water. then lays aside the
second Stick-and until all the sticks nave
been laid aside, twelve in all, then pOurS on iot
of water until the stones give more steam
Then the chief rises and says. ut is finished,
and walks out, followed by the others, and all
plunge into the water. They emerge and dress.
A little later each candidate is approached by
mysterious person IN Indian dress and is led OUT
into the dark woods, where he finds hideous
creature the Misingw, or Living Solid Face boil
ing little kettle over small fire. Inc missing"
cries, "Hon, Hon. Hon. Hon. and shakes his
rattle at the candidate, then dips him up wooden
ladle full Of the herb brew, which the candidate
drinks from little wooden bowl.
Breakfast Before Sunrise.
After all have taken this black drink" they are
supposed to "sleep out" in the woods. II tina
weather permits Before dawn next day they
must rise and get their breakfasts preferably
prepare their OWN and clothe themselves only ID
n breechcloth and an old blanket. All breakfasts
must be eaten before sunrise. the 'sun must not
see them eat this day of fasting.
When all are ready they line up before the chief,
and the Oshkosh the face of each with
ground charcoal Then the boys are taken out to
their posts each out of sight of all the others. and
left to fast and mediate
About the middle of the morning strange man.
dressed as farmer, and carrying a gun, APP
proaches each boy. He announces himself the
owner of the property and orders the boy off as
trespasser. Four times he repeats this ORDER
then, failing, he goes on to the next boy.
otn and str
candidates post to eat sandwich or so-then
offer him one Four times they offer him one to
eat then failing. go on to the next boy
Along in the afternoon the chief himself comes
ont ostensibIy to inspect the fasters; ne looks
around to if anyone is watching, then tells the
how confdentially that he has felt sorry for him
and has smuggled him out bite to eat Four
times he offers him food, and failing goes On to
the next This makes II temptations in all.
From time to time the NIisingw visits the posts
and neers at the candidates from bushes or from
behind trees.
After the sun goes down a whoop is raised at
which the candidates come in, wash the mourning
paint from their faces. dress in gala attire eat
their supper and gather in the Big House, where
sro. have been lighted by the Oshkosh and the
bearths swept with turkey-wng brushes. The chief
10 in gala attire with the right half of his face
painted red with red ochre and the other half
black with powdered charcoal. The chief stands
with his back to the west door of the Big House
and says
Admitted to the Tribe.
an, sons we have tasted as did our Unaml
GRANDPA shers-Only they tasted four or more days
and nights absolutely without food-sometimes
longer. Now we are going to admit such of you
a. stood the test t. the rank of warrior Of the |
Unami tribe"
One by one the candidates come up before him |
and are solemnly admitted to the tribe and they |
are ROBBED in the turtle cape" and have their faces
painted.
When all have been taken into the tribe, the |
chief takes his place and Oshkosh brings him a |
bundle of speech sticks. Then he announces: |
Il will now read from these picture writings the |
IL blessings which pray may be ours warriors |
Of the Unami tribe" He then reads the sticks. |
AS he finishes each and ays*it aside the tribe |
cries "HOoo!' until all have been read. Then. !
led by the chief and the six Oshkosh, they march |
in line completely around the two fires from |
left TO right, then outside where they line up fac |