The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-10-19
"Offering Dance
Religious Ceremonial Of the
Arapaho Indians

Geary. Okla. Oct. 5.-The "Of-
fering Dance" of the Arapaho In
Gians of oklahoma, which closed
here late in August, was witnessed
and cllronicled by the pale-face for
what is believed to be the first time.
The offering dance is the final cere-
mcoials to be borne by candidates
for the highest degree in the
strongest religious fraternity OF the
tribe.
The ritual was witnessed by a
party of Oklahoma City physicians
and nurses who visited the en-
canlpment Of Arapahoes. who were
being visited by the Comanches,
Cheyennes and Kiowas, during a
study Of skin diseases Of the In
dians being prepared for the Unit
ed States Public Health Service.
a member of the tribe and a lee
turer on Indian Folk lore for ma
tional museum was present and eX-
plained much of the ritual to DR..
Everett S. Lain and to DR.. Claude
r. Norris, leaders Of the party.
Six white persons in all witness
ed the ceremony.
More than 1000 Indians, in all,
were present.
In preparation Tor the Offering
Dance also called the Willows
dance" huge lodge was construct
cd about Is feet in diameter.
Ii took several days to complete
the lodge, according to members OF
the tribe, as each pole going into
its construction was blessed sepa-
rately by tribal priests.
Guard lines were thrown out by
the Indians so that no unlimited
eve could witness their ceremony.
Clever Warden. the lecturer, said
the foundation for the order eX-
tends so far back that, according
to tribal interpreters, the moons
which have elapsed since that time
have gone from the memory even
of tradition. and the tradition and
legend extend back hundreds OF
seasons.
Candidates for initiation may
make application to join, after they
have committed some extraordin-
ary brave act; have been fearless
in leadership, renowned in politics
of the tribe or in some way distin-
guished themselves greatly. the in
terpreters told the physicians.
Two of the candidates were vet
Grams of the world war. One had
been seriously wounded. Directly
east OF the center pole an altar fire,
or sacred fire, as It was called was
kindled/
Hall dozen warriors beat
rythmically on tomtom during
the dance.
The candidates first feasted for
two days and then offerings Tor the
Great Spirit We're brought in by the
candidates, who placed them within
the sacrifice grounds and STOPPING
thrust a buffalo tooth into the
ground. The warrior who follow
ed had to locate the tooth, and re-
thrust it into the ground. Then
| the feast Of the year was brought
lin. The candidates, however, did
Anot participate.
Standing, they extended thcii
| feet so that the soles touched live
Goals. Without making any outcry
the candidates in this position sub
nitted to the painting Of their
bodies by the priests.
They were allowed to choose the
color with which they We're painted
according to the tribes interpreter
If they chose white, it. was taken
to mean they would continue the
ceremony as long as they were able
without complete physical cxhaus-
ton. Ii, however, they chose yell
low, it was explained, the warrior
had pledged to continue the cere-
n7ony to the end, though he should
endanger his life by SO doing.
1t was explained by the inter
prefer that through the entire cere-
mony the wives of all married can
! didates had been enduring theil
fasts and tests, behind a Hap in the
rear of the lodge. They were kept
! hidden from the initiated, however
! until the conclusion Of the cere-
mony.
The beating of the tom-tom rose
and became a roar and the dance
was begun.
For forty-eight hours they dane
ed.
Those who endured won the de-
gree. Those who did not have the
privilege Of trying again the fol-
lowing year, it was explained.
This dance often is confused
with the sun dance. which has
been prohibited by the federal gov
| ernment. but is not akin to the
sun dance.
Soon after the final dance, the
tepees were disnantled, and the
caravans of Indians departed over
the Oklahoma plains.
The Boil Wccvil in Cotton Bolls