238 PRIMITIVE PATERNITY 



minor gods. No doubt can be entertained that 

 formerly this offering was followed by actual inter- 

 course between the Transferrer and the Lodge-maker's 

 wife. But it is averred that this is now prohibited, 

 and it was not certainly performed when the ceremony 

 was witnessed by Mr. Dorsey in 1902. During the 

 act of intercourse, whether really or only in symbol 

 enacted, the Transferrer places in the woman's 

 mouth a piece of root which is transferred to the 

 Lodge-maker's mouth from his wife's on her return to 

 the tipi. The woman re-entering the tipi addresses her 

 husband : " I have returned, having performed the 

 holy act which was commanded"; whereupon he and the 

 other dancers thank her and pray for her success. 

 The rite is repeated with similar formalities on the 

 second night following, after the great offerings-lodge 

 is completed, but before the first dance actually com- 

 mences. In this rite a dramatic representation in 

 intimate relation with the myths of the tribe the 

 Transferrer represents the Man-above, while the 

 woman represents the mother of the tribe. The root 

 placed in her mouth represents the seed or food given 

 by the Ail-Powerful (Man-above), "while the issue of 

 their connection is believed to be the birth of the 

 people hereafter, or an increase in the population." 

 The rite is also a plea to all protective powers for 

 their aid and care. 1 It is thus believed to have a 

 potent influence on the well-being of the people. Nor 

 is this all. " At the sun-dance an old man crying out 

 to the entire camp-circle told the young people to 



1 Dorsey, Field Columbian Mus. Pub. Anthrop. iv. 173, 101. 

 The neighbouring tribe of the Cheyenne had the same rite at the 

 Sun-dance (Dorsey, Id. Anthrop. ix. 130). 



