Dec, 1905. The Ponca Sun Dance — Dorsey. 79 



the centre-pole. Then they placed the whistles in their mouths, 

 and, facing the centre-pole, they began to whistle and dance in time 

 to the singing and drumming, which had now become regular; Thus 

 they danced during four successive songs, which occupied half an 

 hour. Then the drummers arose and passed outside* the lodge 

 towards the east. The dancers followed and, halting by the side 

 of the long poles with the calico banners, they formed in one long 

 line east and west and faced the sun and danced. (See PI. XV.) 

 All returned to the lodge, where they continued to dance at inter- 

 vals for the remainder of the day, dancing outside to the sun on 

 two additional occasions. On one of these two occasions they waved 

 towards the sun for long periods the wreaths or shields or whatever 

 else they held in their hands. 



At two o'clock the relatives of the dancers provided a feast for 

 all the musicians and guests. During the day there was much 

 rejoicing and giving away of ponies, etc. (See PI. XVI.) 



The Evening and Night Performance. 



After a long period of rest in the afternoon, the dancers, just 

 before sunset, filed out of the lodge and passed around by way of 

 the south to the west side tipi, where they formed in one long line 

 facing the setting sun in the west. Behind them were grouped 

 the musicians about the drum. In front of the line of dancers stood 

 Hairy-Bear. In this position they danced for over half an hour. 

 From time to time the grandfathers stepped from the line in front 

 of their subjects, exhorted them, waved their leaves and sun-glasses, 

 etc. (See PI. XVII.) The dancing was extremely spirited through- 

 out this period, and the greatest religious enthusiasm was shown 

 by the crowd of spectators, who formed in long lines extending from 

 the east to the west on each side of the end of the line. After the 

 sun had completely disappeared, the grandfathers and dancers engaged 

 in a long and earnest prayer. Then they sat down and faced the 

 east for a short period. Thereupon they returned to the tipi and 

 rested until about eleven o'clock that night. Then they all arose, 

 passed out of the tipis and stood facing east and danced to the moon 

 for nearly an hour. They returned to the tipi and rested until after 

 midnight, when they again left the tipi and danced, facing the west, 

 to the moon. The two remaining hours of the night were passed in 

 sleep. 



FOURTH DAY. 



Shortly before sunrise the dancers began to adjust their kilts 

 and made ready for the sunrise performance. They passed out 



