The ritual and significance of the Winnebago medicine danceRadin, Paul
Religion
The ritual and significance of the Winnebago medicine dance
Radin, Paul
Thesis (Ph. D.); Winnebago Indians -- Rites and ceremonies
Of these, (3), (5), (7), (8), and (9) are found in Part III; all,
except (7) and (6), in Part IV (_a_); and all except (7) in Part IV
(_b_); (5) does not actually occur in Part III, but is described in
detail in the myth related there. The order in which we will discuss
these ceremonial complexes is not the order in which they follow one
another in the ritual. Some of them are likewise interwoven with
one another. Both these factors will, however, be considered in the
description of the entire ritual, following the description of each
ceremonial complex.
(1) _Entrance Ritual._—The band enters the tent, makes one complete
circuit, and stops. The leader now delivers a short speech, followed
by a song. They then continue to the west end, where another speech is
delivered and another song sung. After this, they continue again, and
stop at the east end, where the leader talks and sings. Now all sit
down. After a short pause, the leader again rises, and, walking over to
the ancestor-host, talks to him, and gives him some tobacco. He then
returns to his seat. Each band entering repeats the same ritual. This
applies, however, only to Part IV (_a_) and (_b_).
(2) _Exit Ritual_ (Part IV, _a_ and _b_).—The East leader rises and
speaks, followed by North, West, and South. They then speak again, and,
singing, walk towards the entrance in such a way that the South, North,
and West Bands make complete circuits of the lodge, thus enabling the
East Band to precede them. Near the entrance all stop singing, and
say “wahi-hi-hi” four times, and pass out. This exit ceremony differs
slightly in the two divisions of IV.
(3) _Fire Ritual_ (Part III).—The ancestor-host rises and goes to the
leaders of the four other bands individually; and after he has blessed
them, they respond; and all rise, make four circuits of the lodge, and
then sit down again. Now the leader of the East Band rises, holding in
his hands the invitation-sticks and some tobacco, delivers a speech,
and, going to the fireplace, kindles a new fire.
(8) _Smoking Ritual._—The leader of the East Band pours tobacco into
the fire, first at the east, and then at the north, west, and south
corners. Then he lights his pipe, puffs first towards the east, then
towards the north, west, and south. That over, he passes his pipe to
the leader of the North Band, who takes a few whiffs, and in turn
passes it around to the next member of the lodge. When the pipe has
made the complete circuit, it is placed in front of the fireplace. In
the mean time the ancestor-host has returned to his seat, and after
a short pause, rises, speaks, and sings again. This smoking ceremony
occurs after each entrance ceremony of IV (_a_) and (_b_), and before
both feasts of IV (_a_) and (_b_).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account