May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 153 



themselves from head to foot. Then each man stooped over the 

 bucket and drank copious drafts of water. This done, each man, 

 either by means of his finger, or by means of a sage stem, tickled his 

 throat to cause violent vomiting. While the dancers were thus wash- 

 ing themselves, after partaking of the charm liquid, each of the great 

 crowd of spectators came up to the bowl, in single file, went through 

 the purification ceremony, one by one, as had the others, and then 

 jumped over the bowl. 



BREAKING OF THE FAST. 



As fast as the dancers had washed themselves, they passed out- 

 side the lodge, where they joined groups of friends, which were now 

 scattered here and there in great numbers all about the lodge, where 

 all indulged in the open-air feast. To give an adequate description 

 of the profusion of food which was supplied on this night, or properly 

 to characterize the feeling of deeply religious good nature which was 

 shown, would be an impossibility. After all had finished, the food 

 was gathered up and taken by the women to their homes, and the 

 ceremony of the day was at an end. The priests and dancers passed 

 the night at their own tipis. 



SEVENTH DAY, 1901; EIGHTH DAY, 1902. 



This day corresponds to the eighth day in the 1902 performance, 

 the rites of the two days being practically the same. But few more 

 duties remain for the dancers to perform on this the final day of the 

 Sun Dance ceremony; these are, the final dancing out to meet the 

 Sun, the rite of purification, and the smoking of the sacred straight- 

 pipe. There then follows the informal offering or sacrifice of old 

 clothes to the lodge, by any one of the camp-circle who may be so 

 disposed. 



EARLY RITES IN THE LODGE. 



On going to the lodge early this morning before sunrise, it was 

 found that the dancers had already put in an appearance, together 

 with many of the priests. Within a short time all those who had up 

 to this time been connected with^.the ceremony were present, and 

 formed north of the center pole in one semicircular line, which extended 

 nearly half-way around the lodge. At one end of the line, and nearest 

 the eastern opening was Waakatani. Next to him, and in order, were: 

 Watdngaa, Chanitoe, Hawkan, Debithe, Biba, wearing a buffalo robe, 

 the Lodge-Maker, and the remaining nine dancers, the position of the 



