The Elbert County tribune., 1919-10-24

pile before the chief. then shut the door curtain
The chief then announces, Now we Will purify
ourselves" and throws cedar twigs on the
hot stones then splash of water upon wnich
sweet-smelling steam arises. He then cries, FIRE
water. cedar-purify u.s. takes a stick from ms
bundle and lays 1t aside, whereupon all the candi-
dates cry .Hooo." He then throws more twigs
and another splash of water, then lays aside the
second stick-and on until all the sticks have
been laid aside twelve In all. then pours on n lot
of water until the stones give no 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.
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 Mlsingw, Living Solid Face. boil
ing little kettle small fire. The Nisingw
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 a little wooden bowl.
Breakfast Before Sunrise.
After all have taken this "black drink they
supposed to "sleep out" In the woods, If the
weather permits Before dawn next day they
must rise and get their breakfasts (preferaby
prepare their own) and clothe themselves only in
a breechcloth and old blanket. All breakfasts
must be eaten before sunrise. the "sun must NOT
see them this day of fasting.
When all 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. ana
left to fast and mediate,
About the middle of the morning a strange man.
dressed farmer. and carrying a gun. ap-
proaches each boy. He announces himself the
owner of the property and orders the boy off as a
trespasser. Four times he repeats this order.
then falling he goes to the next boy.
At boys come along and stop near the
candidates post to eat sandwich 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
out ostensiby to inspect the fasters; he looks
around to If anyone is watching. then tells the
boy confdentially that he has felt sorry for him
and has smuggled him out bite to eat. Four
times he offers him food, and falling goes on to
the next. This makes II temptations in all.
From time to time the Msingw visits the posts
and peers at the candidates from bushes from
behind trees.
After the 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
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 ether 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.
MY sons have tasted did Unami
grandfathers- 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
Unami tribe"
One by one the candidates up before him
and are solemny admitted to the tribe and they
robed in the turtle cape" and have their faces
painted.
When all have been taken into the tribe the
chief takes his place and an Oshkosh brings him a
bundle % speech sticks. Then he announces
81 will now read from these picture writings the
II blessings which pray may be warriors
of the Uhaml tribe" He then reads the sticks
AS he finishes each and lays 1t aside. the tribe
cries, "HDoo!" 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
ing the east and cry "Hooo" u times which
finishes tae ceremony.