May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 97 



THE OFFERINGS-LODGE COMPLETED, 1902. 



After the painting of the poles and the addition to the center-pole 

 of the bundle, robe, and digging-stick, a great crowd of people came 

 forward to witness the raising of the center-pole. Groups of the 

 members of the warrior societies stood about, ready to assist in the 

 operation. Nishnat^yana lifted the pipe toward the west, while his 

 wife held aloft the Wheel upon the pole, and they began a song. At 

 the conclusion of the song, all lifted upon the pole. Then the second 

 song was sung, and again the warriors lifted, this performance being 

 repeated four times. At the conclusion of the fourth song, with a 

 loud shout, the great tree was slowly, but surely, lifted in an upright 

 position, and was let back in the hole which had been prepared for it. 

 (See Plate XXXVIL) Then, in a very short space of time, with much 

 shouting, yelling, and singing, and with great rivalry, as if to see 

 which should be first, the warrior societies lifted up the four painted 

 and the other rafter-poles and forced them in position. (See Plate 

 XXXVin.) The remaining cross-bar, on the western side, which had 

 been left out until the erection of the center-pole, was now put in 

 place, and the Offerings-lodge was completed. 



The Wheel was carried to the back of the skull and placed on its 

 support, which stood just in front of the skull, while the pipe was 

 deposited on the south side of the skull, where they were to remain 

 until late in the evening, when they were to be carried inside the great 

 lodge, to be used in the preparation of the altar on the following day. 



It was now about seven o'clock, and there was an interval of per- 

 haps an hour, during which time the priests and those giving the 

 lodge repaired to the home of Niwaat, the Lodge-Maker, where the 

 latter and his associates broke their three days' fast, and all indulged 

 in a bountiful feast. In the mean time the throng about the lodge 

 had not diminished, where all now awaited the rite of "dancing in." 



THE OFFERINGS-LODGE DEDICATED. 



Young men who had been putting on their costumes in their 

 lodges now began to come forth to the Offerings-lodge, where they 

 danced and sang. While the singing was in progress there was an 

 exchange of presents among the friends. On the conclusion of the 

 fourth song those dancing ceased, and the young men returned home. 

 Kana'thekahade now related a war story, and a fire was built midway 

 between the center-pole and the outer pole to the north of the east 

 opening. The lodge was now ready for the appearance of those who 

 were to fast and dance for three days. « 



