The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot Indians — John Shaqi
The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot IndiansWissler, Clark
Religion
The Sun Dance of the Blackfoot Indians
Wissler, Clark
Siksika Indians; Sun dance
_Fifth Day._ This is an active day.[1] The various bands cut and drag in
the poles and green cottonwood boughs to be used in constructing the
dancing lodge. The center, or sun pole, is selected and brought in with
the ceremonies pertaining thereto. During the day, the holes for the
posts are dug and the sides of the dancing lodge put in place and
prepared for the raising at sunset. A wind-break is erected at the west
side, facing the forked end of the sun pole. Later in the day, some
medicinemen take up their stations here to receive offerings to the sun
and place them on the pole. In the forenoon, the ceremony connected with
the opening of the natoas bundle begins in the medicine woman's tipi.
This is completed by the middle of the afternoon when there is a
procession from the tipi to the wind-break facing the sun pole. The
thongs for the poles are cut. While these are taking place, some food is
distributed among the poor people. Those women, who, during the past
season, promised "to come forward to the tongues" now fulfil their vows
by public declarations addressed to the setting sun. The pole raisers
then approach from the four quarters, erecting first the sun pole and
then the rafters, with as much speed as possible. The medicine woman
then returns to her tipi and the father with his male companions goes
into a sweathouse.
_Sixth Day._ In the morning, a booth is erected in the dancing lodge for
the medicinemen, or weather dancers. Later in the day, they approach,
with processions made up of their respective bands, and take their
places in the booth. At various times during the day, they dance to the
sun. People also come up to be painted and prayed for. As a rule, the
medicine-pipes are brought out for these men to bless and smoke. During
the afternoon, the "digging dance" occurs, when the fireplace is made
and the fire kindled.
_Seventh Day._ People still come to be painted or prayed for by the
medicinemen. Later in the day, the dancing of the societies begins.
_Eighth Day._ The dancing may continue on this day; otherwise, camp is
broken and the bands go their several ways. The dancing may continue
several days, there being no definite time for closing the ceremony.
Indeed, to the Blackfoot mind, the really vital part of the ceremony
closes on the evening of the fifth day. The dancing of the societies is
free to take its course as the various organizations see fit. In former
times, however, it was customary to break camp any time between the
seventh and tenth days.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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