May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 37 



In former times, of course, this episode in the ceremony consisted in 

 the location of a living buffalo. Those who have been mentioned as 

 having gathered there for the announcement now took up what food 

 there was left over from the feast and departed with it for their homes. 

 Hdcheni remaining for a few moments to smoke. 



THE RABBIT-TIPl. 



The members of the Star society, shortly afterwards began to 

 congregate in the center of the camp-circle, having been called by the 

 head man of the Star society, through Hocheni. Having assembled, 

 they were told by their leader to go over and get the tipi of Wahuayni- 

 howni (Yellow-Magpie), which was one of the largest in the camp- 

 circle. They went after the tipi, and were about to lift it up, when 

 the wife of Yellow-Magpie made strenuous objections, saying that they 

 had a big family and needed shelter. They then selected another tipi, 

 and it also was refused. The third tipi selected belonged to a member 

 of the Star society, and permission was given to take it. First they 

 pulled out the pegs which fastened the tipi to the ground, then took 

 ofif the door and loosened the ropes for the smoke flaps. The mem- 

 bers then surrounded the lodge, and each man took hold of a lodge 

 pole. At a signal, they lifted the poles simultaneously, and thus 

 moved the tipi bodily to a spot a short distance west of the center of 

 the camp-circle. Here they were met by their wives, who firmly 

 adjusted the tipi and replaced the pegs. The opening of the tipi, of 

 course, faced the east (see Plate V). This tipi is called by the Chey- 

 enne, "The First lodge," while among the Arapaho it is known as the 

 "Nakshawu," or White-Rabbit-tipi. The origin of the name is due 

 to the myth in which male and female rabbits conducted the secret 

 ceremonies of the Offerings-lodge. The men who still perform such 

 rites are known as Rabbit-men. 



RABBIT-TIPl TABOOS. 



No one ever enters the Rabbit-tipi with moccasins or any kind of 

 covering on the feet. Moccasins were removed outside and were 

 deposited at one side or the other of the door. In explanation of this 

 the following was obtained: "In the evening, when the bats are flying 

 around near a tipi, a person throws up pairs of moccasins in the air, 

 until the bat flies into the moccasin. In this way the bat is caught 

 and killed ; otherwise, the bat, representing the evil spirit, may work 

 sickness upon an innocent person. Because the home of the bat (the 

 evil spirit) is in the moccasin, the Rabbit-tipi people, before entering 

 the Rabbit-tipi, take off their moccasins, thus showing reverence." 



