Religion and ceremonies of the LenapeHarrington, M. R. (Mark Raymond)
Religion
Religion and ceremonies of the Lenape
Harrington, M. R. (Mark Raymond)
Delaware Indians -- Religion
“In regard to the stomp dances of our people, we have several
kinds of dances; the most important one is the ‘worship dance’
which is carried on in a large building called a temple, which
is rectangular and ranges from 60 to 80 feet long, from 30 to
40 feet wide, and is about 10 feet high. It is built of wood
with 2 doors. The main entrance is at the eastern door, and it
has only a dirt floor.
“On each post is carved a human face. On the center post or
one in the center of the building four faces are carved; each
face is painted one-half red and one-half black. All the people
enter at the east and go out the same way. When they come in
they pass to the right of the fire, and each of the three
clans of the Delawares take seats next to the wall, the Turtle
clan on the south, the Turkey on the west, and the Wolf on the
north. In no case can any one pass between the center post and
east door, but must go around the center post, even to go to
the north side of the temple.
“This dance is held once each year, in the fall, and generally
in October, in the full moon, and lasts not less than 12 days
for each part. The tribe is divided into three clans, and each
clan has to go through the same part, so the dance is sometimes
36 days long, but sometimes the second and third clans do not
dance more than 6 days each.
“The Turtle clan usually lead or begin the dance. A tortoise
shell, dried and beautifully polished and containing several
small pebbles, is placed in the southeast corner near the door
in front of the first person. If he has anything to say he
takes the shell and rattles it, and an answer comes from the
south side of the temple from the singers, who strike on a
dried deer’s hide: then the party who has the tortoise shell
makes an address or talk to the people, and thanks the Great
Spirit for blessings, and then proceeds to dance, going to the
right and around the fire, followed by all who wish to take
part, and finally coming to the center post he stops there;
then all the dancers shake hands and return to their seats.
Then the shell is passed to the next person, who dances or
passes it on, as he chooses.
“On the third day of the dance all men, both married and
single, are required to keep out of the company of women for
3 days at least. They have a doorkeeper, a leader, and 2 or 3
parties who sweep the ground floor with turkey wings, and who
also serve as deacons. The ashes from the fire are always
taken out at the west door, and the dirt is always swept in the
fire. In front of the east door outside is a high pole on which
venison hangs. It is a feast dance and the deacons distribute
food among the people. The officers and waiters are paid in
wampum for their services.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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