CUSTOMS Ol' THE UAKUTAS. 247 



TliC/ liij^li-priest, taking his scat in the mediciiio tent, a[tpoints tV)nr 

 assistants; to one is given a suuill drum, to the next a piUow and stick, 

 to the third a rattle, and the last assists in grnnting. The big drum 

 in the center of the circle, has several drummers, who add without cessa- 

 tion, to the din. The high-priest now speaks to them of this, the holy 

 dance, founded centuries ago, relating how powerful was the mcdicitu! of 

 tlieir ancestors, and advising unbelievers not to s(M)ir at them or their 

 medicine, as they have the power to thrust a claw or a stone through the 

 body of aiiy one at will, causing instant death. To show them how strong 

 his medicine is, he calls up one of his assistants, and i)ointing his medicine- 

 bag at him, gives a puff with his lips, wIiereu[)on the assistant falls ap- 

 parently senseless upon the ground. The high-priest i)rays the Great 

 Si>irit to aid him, bowing to the north, south, east, and west, asks the 

 assistance of the members in bringing their dead brother to life. All the 

 instruments are ])ounded, accompanied by frantic gesticulations and so- 

 norous grunts, the lifeless man gradually returning to consciousness, and 

 spitting into his hand a mass of froth and blood, in which is a claw or a 

 stone. The high-piiest now dances around the circle, showing his medi- 

 cine-bag, and imitating the animal from which it is taken. Advancing 

 rapidly towards one of the members, he holds his niediciue-bag to his 

 moutli and blows over it towards the one selected, who, giving a yell, 

 falls to the ground. The chief continues, and the "dead men" reviving, 

 assist in shooting others, until theringis full of howling savages, dancing, 

 yelling, and shooting each other. A signal is given, all congregate around 

 the big drum, raising one foot, then the other, alternately, keeping time 

 with a lateral swing of the body, the men chanting in a sepulchral tone, 

 seeming to die out in the pit of their stomachs, and the women on the 

 outside of the group, raising themselves on the ball of their feet, imi- 

 tate the peculiar call of the female swan. The hoarse guttural sounds 

 of the men, and the clear swau-liko notes of the women, the two blend- 

 ing together, were very musical. During the ceremonies the assistants 

 of the high-priest, in performing their oftice and upon their instruments, 

 trot around the ring faster and faster, grunting at each step, form into 

 line in front of those selected, advance and retreat several times, then 

 rushing forward, thrust their instruments into the hands of their suc- 

 cessors, take the seats just vacated, and now represent the gods of the 

 north, south, east, and the west, the high-priest rei^resen ting the ^Vau-kan 

 Tan-ka or Great Spirit. When a candidate is initiated he is first taken 

 into the council-tent for instructions, which are secret, stripped of his 

 clothing, excepting an apron or cloth and moccasins, painted black 

 from head to foot, a red spot about the size of a nickel painted between 

 his shoulders. The candidate is exhorted to remain good, and his medi- 

 cine will be strong, and that he must give a feast once a year; if not, he 

 will be unfortunate, and meet with sickness and death; if good, the 

 Great Spirit will make his heart strong. The candidate now receives 

 the holy claw or stone; the high-priest approaching from the east with 



