256 PAPERS RELATING TO ANTHROPOLOGY. 



out before, tliem, and leaniipo- the particulars of tlie case, discuss the 

 character of the; young; brave, after coming to a couchisiou in favor of 

 or against the approaching nuptials. If favorable they return next 

 day with their bundle of presents. Then the bundle of the bridegroom 

 elect is opened and the articles are distributed among the bride's family. 

 They, in their turn, take the bundle brought by them, give it to the 

 girl's mother, who takes it upon her back and the giil by the hand and 

 dej)osits both at the door of the expectant husbaud. The groom's mother 

 comes out, takes the girl and bundle into the lodge, where all the family 

 are congregated, seated arouiul the fire, leaving the place of honor 

 (opi)osite the entrance) vacant. In the center of this space is a dish 

 with two spoons in it. The young man and girl sit one on each side, 

 <at a few spoonfuls from the dish, and then pass the dish around. The 

 bride's buiuUe is then opened and distributed among those present. 

 This (lonstitutes one form of marriage among the Dakotahs. As will be 

 seen, the i)arents have no voice in the matter, leaving it entirely to the 

 brothers, etc. In making up the bundles those wishing to give a horse 

 throw in a bridle, nmrked with their totem. This re])resents a horse, and 

 is always redeemed. Often an old squaw will be seen trudging along, 

 bent double, witli a sack on her back containing guns, swords, pistols, 

 knives, blankets, beads, and articles too numerous to mention, bent on 

 a matrimonial i)ilgrimage such as described above. 



In dillerent sections, even among the sanu^. tribe, they have otiier cere- 

 monies: when they purchase their wives, by tyiug a horse at her par- 

 ents' tloor; if, on returning the following day, they liud the horse still 

 there, they will add another, keeping this up until their limit is reached; 

 if the horses are taken away he will then enter the lodge ami take his 

 bride home; if it requires more horses than he is willing to give he 

 takes his horses away and tries elsewhere. Often when the relatives of 

 the young girl refuse all overtures of the young man ho will, through 

 a friend, entice the young girl into the woods, wliere, joining them, he 

 runs off with her. This is also recognized as a marriage. The Da- 

 kotah is a polygamist, having as many as five wives. The marital tie is 

 not very binding, and divorces are not sought after in the courts; but 

 in the straw dance they will " throw away" those wives they no longer 

 wish to retain; in nuxny instances they will take "unto themselves" 

 several wives in order to throw^ tbem away at this dance, believing 

 it will add to their importance to have so strong a heart. When a 

 young man throws away his wife he^becomes a "young man"again and 

 seeks other wives. The wonmn is soon married again. The courting is 

 always done in the evening and in the lodge. If the attentions of tho 

 young jr.au are disagreeable to the young woman, she will get uj) and 

 blow uj) the lire. The young man takes the hiut and retires. If, on the 

 contraiT, she should be willing, she lets the lire alone. 



A husbaud will never sixmIc to his wife's mother or father, and if it 

 should be an absolute necessity it is done through a. third person- the 



