JIB WAY HABITATIONS BUSHNELL. 613 



A nearer view of the conical wigwam, the na' sawao' gem, is given 

 in plate 1, figure 2. This was occupied by one family and was similar 

 to another described a few years before: 



The strips of birch bark are laid loosely on, and there are great chinks 

 everywhere through which one can put his hand, and there is the open top. 

 The family sit round the fire in a circle, on rush mats made by the women 

 from rushes which grow in the lakes. * * * On approaching a wigwam, 

 the custom is to raise the blanket which hangs over the doorway and go in 

 without asking permission or knock as with us. * * * If the inmates look 

 on the newcomer with favor they say when he raises the blanket door and 

 looks in, "Nind ubimin, nind ubimin (we are at home, we are at home)," 

 which is a welcome, though nothing is thought on either side if silence is pre- 

 served. * * * Around the fire in the center, and at a distance of perhaps 

 2 feet from it, are placed sticks as large as one's arm, in a square form, 

 guarding the fire; and it is a matter of etiquette not to put one's feet nearer 

 the fire than that boundary. One or more pots or kettles are hung over the 

 fire on the crotch of a sapling. In the sides of the wigwam are stowed all cloth- 

 ing, food, cooking utensils, and other property of the family. * * * When 

 one has been traveling all day through the virgin forest, in a temperature far 

 below zero, and has not seen a house nor a human being and knows not where 

 or how he is to pass the night, it is the most comforting sight in the whole 

 world to see the glowing column of light from the top of the wigwam of some 

 wandering family out hunting, and to look in and see that happy group bathed 

 in the light and warmth of the life-giving fire. * * * and no one, Ojibway 

 or white, is ever refused admission ; on the contrary, they are made heartily 

 welcome, as long as there is an inch of space. 1 



Other views of the large wigwam, the ginon' dawan, shown in figure 

 1, plate 1, are given in plate 2, figures 1 and 2. It was about 18 feet in 

 length and between 8 and 9 feet in width. There were two entrances, 

 one at each end, each covered with a blanket as in plate 2, figure 2. 

 This was occupied by the f amily of Ahgishkemunsit, the Kingfisher, 

 at that time about 60 years of age and a man of influence among the 

 northern Ojibway. As will be seen in the photograph, the large wig- 

 wam had a ridgepole extending between the two groups of poles 

 which were arranged at the ends of the structure. Other poles resting 

 against the ridgepole formed the sloping supports upon which the 

 long strips of bark were placed. Inside four small fires burned on 

 the ground along the median line. Rush mats were spread near the 

 walls to serve as seats during the day and sleeping places at night. 

 Various bunches of herbs, small bags, baskets, and other articles 

 hung from the poles. A large birch-bark irmhak stood in one corner 

 and on the opposite side was the drum which had occupied the 

 center of the dance circle two days before. Women were engaged 

 in making moccasins, children were playing about, and the men, in- 



1 Gilfillan, Rev. J. A. The Ojibways in Minnesota. In collection of the Minn. Hist. 

 Soc, Vol. IX, St. Paul, 1901, pp. 55-128. Having lived for more than 25 years among 

 the northern Ojibway, beginning in 1873, few were more familiar with the manners and 

 customs of the people, or could write with greater certainty and feeling. 



65133°— sm 1917 40 



