Oct., 1903. Arapaho Traditions — Dorsey and Krof.ber. 39 



had no knowledge of laws of nature. So one day she invited the 

 people to gather together, for she had a message to tell them. The 

 people assembled without delay. "The first thing necessary, for all 

 concerned, will be the selection of old men and women," she said. 

 She got up to review the people carefully, taking much pains in what- 

 ever she would do or say to the people. 



She herself selected seven old men and seven old women and gave 

 them intellects to understand and reason with her. "There shall be 

 certain duties for the old men to perform and also for the women. 

 Now. for the temporal benefit of all, be it known to the people that 

 this day I shall pledge for a lodge, which shall be called by the people, 

 'Buffalo Lodge' ; that whatever the lodge shall consist of, it shall be a 

 general blessing to all, now and hereafter. May the old men and 

 old women so conduct the lodge, in a sacred way, and may the 

 prayers cr oiiferings be heard by the Man-Above, and its wonders ; may 

 the sacred lodge be a cleansing power to all, and may the people mul- 

 tiply and be supplied with all the necessaries of life. May my foot- 

 steps be reverenced by the j>eople, for I am teaching the command- 

 ments of the Giver; that the people may know between right and 

 wrong,, and above all, live in plenty to old age. So let this pledge be 

 known to all. and the teaching of the Buffalo- Woman's lodge spread," 

 said the woman. 



The old men and the old women gave thanks for the young wo- 

 man's vow and were in accord with her. The Pledger of this lodge 

 shall be the White-Bufi'alo- Woman, and there shall be two red stands, 

 two white stands, a cow and a calf, steers, calves, and a bull, also there 

 shall be two owners of poles. 



There are seven tipi poles tied all together and a red painted dig- 

 ging stick tied to the center bunch of poles, which makes it a center 

 pole. This digging stick is placed horizontally to the pole, and there 

 are several bunches of the poles, four in a bunch, which rest against the 

 digging stick, making the lodge appear like an ordinary tipi. The 

 tipis are used for cover on all sides. The painting takes place during 

 the day, and dancing by the participants at night, in rotation, according 

 to the degree. The owners of poles, their caps and belts painted in 

 white, take the lead. They go to the south side and at the opening 

 of the song by the old priests and old women, dance, blow the bone 

 whistle and move their heads sidewise. After they have given the 

 dance at this spot, then they go to the north end or side, facing toward 

 the center and dance the same way. After this, they go back to the 



