May, 1903. The Arapaho Sun Dance — Dorsey. 175 



similar position she prayed over Nishchdnakati and Hdwkan, and then 

 resumed her position in the circle. Hiwkan took a forked stick and 

 placed several live coals to the northwest of the fireplace in the 

 open space to the north and east of the buffalo skull. The Lodge- 

 Maker, followed by his wife, arose and proceeded in a sunwise circuit 

 to a point southwest of the skull, where the Lodge-Maker touched the 

 ground with his fingers and took up the straight-pipe. He then sat 

 down by the side of Watangaa on the south side of the lodge, with his 

 wife outside, Nishnat^yana having taken up a position behind the 

 Wheel. Hdwkan put spruce leaves on the coals. He then picked up 

 the rattle lying south of the skull, making four passes toward it. All 

 in the Rabbit-tipi now bit off a small portion of dog root and began 

 chewing on it. Hawkan gave to Nakaash (Sage) some cedar leaves, 

 which he placed upon live coals, first having placed the latter on the 

 footprint made by the Lodge-Maker and his wife as they passed over 

 the first incense in making the circuit to the south side of the lodge. 

 Chanitoe took up the pipe-stem and began beating the pack containing 

 the badger-hide, in unison to the shaking of the rattle by Hawkan. 

 The light inside the lodge was extinguished, and Hawkan, Chanitoe, 

 and two or three of the other priests began the sacred Rabbit-tipi song. 



Nishnateyana put on the buffalo robe containing the pieces of 

 rabbit-skin with the fur side out, while the wife of the Lodge-Maker 

 threw around her a buffalo robe, the fur side out. With this robe 

 gathered around her she removed her clothing. Debfthe left the lodge 

 a moment and brought in their moccasins, for as has already been 

 stated, no one enters the Rabbit-tipi except barefooted. The Lodge- 

 Maker took the straight-pipe to the grandfather, proceeding sunwise. 



All preparations for the departure having been made, all remained 

 exceedingly quiet, while the second sacred song was sung, there pre- 

 vailing in the lodge an air of intense emotion. The grandfather arose, 

 holding in his right hand the straight-pipe, the bowl of which pointed 

 upward. Followed by the wife of the Lodge-Maker, he left the lodge, 

 making a sunwise circuit as they passed out, and stepping over the 

 rising incense placed by Nakaash'. Having gained the outside of the 

 lodge, they proceeded northward to a point about half-way between 

 the lodge and the camp-circle. Here they stood side by side for a 

 few moments facing the north and praying. Nishnateyana maintain- 

 ing this position, the woman, with an exceedingly rapid movement, 

 threw her blanket upon the ground and fell, thus exposing her body 

 to the moon. This she did twice, whereupon they started back to the 

 Rabbit-lodge, the woman in the lead, tightly enveloped in her buffalo 

 robe. In their return, they halted four times. 



