7© Field Columbian Museum — Anthropology, Vol. IV. 



lying just to the east of the Rabbit-tipi, made after the preparation of 

 the fireplace on the previous day. Hdwkan now came outside with a 

 rattle and began singing a song, accompanied by Chanitoe and 

 Debithe. The robe was then carried on inside the lodge by Watdngaa 

 and Nishnat^yana. Inside the lodge it was also passed over incense 

 and was deposited on the ground south of the fireplace. Chanitoe then 

 lifted the Wheel from its position and Watdngaa and Nishnat^yana 

 again picked up the robe as before and carried it on, back of the skull, 

 where it was deposited with the head of the robe covering the skull. 

 The Wheel was then replaced upon its support, which was thrust into 

 the ground just to the north of the skull. The newer calico wrappings 

 were thrown over the Wheel and all inside the Rabbit-tipi now left and 

 gathered just outside, where Chief Nawaht told a number of war stories. 

 Later in the evening, when the priests had returned within the 

 Rabbit-tipi, Nishchanakati removed the robe from the position which 

 it had occupied over and back of the skull, and spread it out in the 

 space to the south of the fireplace. Sitting down by the side of it, he 

 then related a war story and began trimming the edge of the robe, 

 saying as he did so, that in that fashion had he forced the enemy to 

 the ground and taken his scalp. In accordance with custom there was 

 now heard, as at many times throughout the Sun Dance and other 

 Indian ceremonies, a number of sharp, piercing cries, uttered by 

 Debithe, and imitative of those formerly uttered by women on the 

 return of the victorious war party. After the robe had been trimmed 

 properly, it was put back in its former position, to the west and over 

 the skull, the tail of the robe reaching the western wall of the tipi. 

 Nishchanakati, in accordance with his privilege, retained those portions 

 of the buffalo hide which had been cut away. These he placed behind 

 him as he took his accustomed seat in the circle. Food was then 

 brought in, the sacrifice made, and the usual feast followed. 



PAINTING THE BUFFALO HIDE. 



The decoration of the hide, during the 1902 performance, was 

 deferred until early in the forenoon of the following or third morning, 

 and was done while the Lodge-Maker with his substitute were making 

 the round of the camp-circle collecting presents. Inasmuch, however, 

 as under ordinary circumstances, the decoration of the robe would, 

 presumably, have followed its being trimmed and fashioned in proper 

 shape by one of the priests, the account is given at this place: 



Wdtanah, who as it will be remembered, was present as a pupil of 

 Hdwkan, and next to him in knowledge of the ceremony, now sat 

 down to the south of the skull, with Hocheni at his right. Holding 



