May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 99 



who had been selected by those who were to fast, as their grand- 

 fathers, and who were now also present. After the smoking had con- 

 tinued for some time, Hawkan told the dancers to get ready. They 

 placed the buckskin thong of the bone whistle around their neck and 

 examined the whistle, to know that it was in good condition, and all 

 now rose to their feet and stood in line in this southeastern section, 

 facing the center-pole. Debithe arose and showed them how to hold 

 the whistle and the movements of the dance, and then, with a bone 

 whistle in his mouth, proceeded to a spot directly under the southeast 

 pole, which was painted black. Hawkan now prayed : 



hawkan's prayer. 



"Father, Man- Above, my Mother, Old- Woman-Night, my Grand- 

 fathers, the Four-Old-Men, here we are, ready. May you listen to 

 our wishes for this people here, that during this ceremony they may 

 be protected day and night from danger and sickness! My Father, 

 Man-Above, you have so made the sun to shine. Old-Woman-Night, 

 you have made the moon to shine. You have told us how to go 

 through all this ceremony. Four-Old-Men, we have followed your 

 paths. This night, whatever we may do, may it be in harmony with 

 you! May all that we ask in our secret prayers be granted! So 

 be it!" 



At the conclusion of the prayer, a song was started by members 

 of the Star society, who were seated near the east and to the south of 

 the east opening of the lodge, during which Hawkan kept time by 

 shaking a rattle in his right hand, while Chanitoe, who was seated to 

 the west of the center-pole, beat upon the Badger-pack. As they 

 sang, the dancers, led by Debithe, looked up toward the pole painted 

 black, raised the right hand, and whistled softly. Then they pro- 

 ceeded to the northeast corner, where underneath the pole with the 

 red band they repeated the performance, and so to the northwest 

 pole, and then to the southwest, and then to the center-pole; where- 

 upon they turned to- their position in the southeast corner and all sat 

 down. 



Thihauchhawkah now took up the rawhide, which, as has been 

 mentioned, was folded in the form of a parfleche, and laid it down in 

 front of Hawkan. He then took from the fire a live coal, which he 

 also placed in front of Hawkan. Spruce-leaves were then passed upon 

 the coal, and Thihauchhawkan took up the rawhide, made four passes 

 toward the rising incense, and then passed the parfleche over the coals 

 in a slow and careful manner. He then carried the rawhide to the 

 southeast, where he again motioned it now toward and among the 



