May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 9 



Sun Dance; and this idea naturally was strengthened by the words 

 which he had received in answer to his prayer, and by the fact that in 

 a vision he had seen the lodge. 



The vow itself was made to Chebbenlathan (Man-Above). To him 

 Thihduchhdwkan addressed himself: 



thihAuchhAwkan's prayer. 



"For the general good of my tribe, that the people may increase, 

 that there may be no more sickness, I vow to have performed for me 

 the ceremony of the Offerings-lodge. I hope that you, Man-Above, 

 will meet my desires and wishes for my race and for my own benefit, 

 for my tipi, my wife and children. I pray that whatever I may under- 

 take to do hereafter I may accomplish it to my best interest!" 



On the conclusion of this vow or prayer by Thihauchhdwkan, 

 before the people in the lodge, all said, "Thanks!" and soon after, 

 it was known throughout the tribe that this man had pledged the cere- 

 mony, each individual, as he received the news, also saying, "Thanks!" 



Shortly after this, Thihauchhdwkan again became temporarily 

 insane, and even denied, when asked, that he had made the vow. He 

 was in the habit of wandering off from home, and traveling about from 

 place to place, without blanket and in a naked, unkempt condition, 

 neglecting his family. This condition of affairs continued until July, 

 when his mind became clearer and he again did something for his 

 family. He now again acknowledged that he had pledged the 

 ceremony. 



MINOR VOWS OF DANCING AND FASTING. 



It is obvious that after it has become known in the tribe that the 

 ceremony has been pledged by some individual, a similar vow will not 

 be taken by any other member of the tribe. The feeling for the neces- 

 sity of making a vow, however, may still prevail, and may result in 

 the pledge to participate in the forthcoming performance by fasting 

 and dancing. Thus, the individual making the secondary vow may 

 be sick, or his wife may be sick, or one of his children, or he may have 

 seen himself, in a vision, dancing in the lodge. Having made the 

 vow, he usually informs some old friend, or if there be a doctor 

 present, he may inform him that he will fast. These minor pledges 

 are made, naturally, usually after some one has pledged to erect the 

 Offerings-lodge; otherwise he will pledge himself to "wrap the wheel," 

 to give a feast to some old family in destitute circumstances, or in 

 some other way to do penance. This phase of the ceremony gives 



