The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1919-10-24

pile before the chief, then shut the door curtain
The chief then announces. Now will purify
ourselves and throws some cedar twgs on the
hot stones then n splash Of water upon which ii
understanding steam arises. He then cries, Fire
water cedar-purify u.s." takes a stick from his
bundle and lays 1t aside, whereupon all the eandl-
dates cry "Hooo." He then throws on more twgs
and another splash of water then lays aside the"
second stick-and so on until all the sticks nave
been laid aside twelve in all then pours on lot
of water until the stones give no more steam
Then the chief rises and says, 1T 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 n
mysterious person in Indian dress and is led out
into the dark woods, where he finds hideous
creature, the Msingw, Living Solid Face, boil
ing little kettle over small fire The Misingw
cries Hon, Hon. Hon, Hon." and shakes his
rattle the candidate, then dips him up a wooden
lndle full of the herb brew, which the canddnte-
drinks from Il little wooden bowl.
Breakfast Before Sunrise.
After all have taken this "black drink they are
supposed to sleep OUT In the woods, If the
weather permits. Before dawn next day they
must rise and get their breakfasts preferably
prepare their OWN and clothe themselves only in
IL breechcoth 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
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 a strange man.
dressed farmer and carrying gun, ap-
proachcs each boy He announces himself the
owner of the property and orders the boy of rs
trespasser. Four times he repeats this order,
then, falling, he goes ON to the next boy.
At noon boys come along and stop near the
candidates post to eat sandwich or so-ihrn
offer him -Four times they offer him one t"
eat. then falling go to the next boy.
Along In the afternoon the chief himself comes
out. ostensibly to inspect the fasiers; he looks
around to if anyone is watching, then tells the
boy conhdentially that he has felt sorry for hla
and has struggled him out bite to eat. Four
times he offers him food. and failing goes 10
the next. This makes II temptations il all.
From time to time The Nisngw visits the posts
AMI peers at the candidates from bushes or from
behind trees.
After the goes down whoop is raised, ut
which the candidates come in, wash the mourning
paint from their faces, dress in gala attire. ent
their supper and gather In the Big House, where
fires have been lighted by the Oshkosh and the
hearths swept with turkey wing brushes. The chief
is 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.
Aum
My sons. have tasted did our Unami
grnndfatheIs-only they tasted four days
and nights absolutely without food sometimes
longer. Now going to admit such of you
stood the test to the rank of warrior of the
Unnm tribe
One by one the candidates up before him
and soemny admitted 10 the tribe AMI they
ROBBED IN the turtle Cape and have their faces
painted
When MI have been taken into the tribe the
chief takes his place and an Oshkosh brings him Il
bundle IF speech sticks. Then he announces.
Il Will now read from these picture writings the
II blessings which pray may be ours ms warriors
of the tnami tribe" He then reads the sticks
As he finishes each and lays it aside the tribe
cries. "Hooo.' until all have been read. Then
led by the chief and the six Oshkosh they inarch
in a line completely around the fires irons
left to right. then outside where they line IN fac
ing the east and cry "Hooo," II times, which
finishes the ceremony.