l86 SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



The first trip to the Seminole of Florida was made in January and 

 February, 193 1, and the Indians observed were from Big Cypress 

 Swamp. One visit was made to the southern part of the Everglades. 

 The second trip was begun in November and the Indians observed 

 were those of the Big Cypress Swamp, and also of the Cow Creek, 

 or northern group of the tribe, now living near Dania. The Seminole 

 Indians have been in contact with white men for about four centuries 

 but have retained their old customs in a remarkable degree and are 

 practically self-supporting. The Seminole of the Big Cypress Swamp 

 subsist chiefly by hunting alligators and game and by cultivating 

 small gardens in the Everglades. The fastnesses of the Everglades 

 conceal the important phases of their tribal life. In these deep re- 

 treats the medicine men still treat the sick with herbal remedies re- 

 vealed to them in dreams, and exercise an authority which is severe 

 and unquestioned. The environment of the northern group is chiefly 

 the flat land around Lake Okeechobee. 



Both the southern and northern Seminole hold an annual Corn dance 

 after the corn is ripe and before it is eaten. The leader of the singing 

 in the Big Cypress group is Charlie Billie (fig. 177), who recorded 

 Corn dance songs, including the four principal songs used only on the 

 first night of the dance. He is required to fast before and after sing- 

 ing these songs. He sings each song only once, then the man who acts 

 as his helper sings it once, and then the people join, dancing in a 

 circle. He and his helper pound on small " water drums " which they 

 carry. Charlie Billie also recorded the songs that precede a hunting 

 expedition to ensure success. The people do not join in these songs. 

 In order to compare the Corn dance songs of the two groups, a few 

 Corn dance songs of the Cow Creek Seminole were sung by Willie 

 Jumper at Dania. From his performance it appears that the songs of 

 the two groups differ in structure. His sister, known as Annie Tommie 

 (fig. 178), supplied interesting information on tribal customs. An- 

 other member of the group, called Jimmie Gopher, said that in old 

 times he had seen the playing of a flute as well as the rattle and drum. 



The dwellings of the Seminole, as well as their costumes, are ad- 

 mirably adapted to the climate. A typical Seminole house (fig. 181) 

 consists of a platform covered by a thatched gable roof supported by 

 posts. The average size of a house is about 11 by 14 feet, the height 

 of the platform ( floor) is about 2\ feet, and the thatch of palmetto 

 droops to a point about 4J feet above the ground. This thatch is held 

 in place by logs tied together and slung across the ridge. In the houses 

 of the Big Cypress Seminole seen by the writer a corner of the plat- 

 form about 3 feet square was cut away, providing a convenient seat 



