26 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY tBULL. 45 



are heated and laid in the center of the lodge and frequently sprinkled 

 with water by means of a wisp of brush, the steam enveloping the 

 bodies of the men. It frequently happens that one or two women 

 are among those who are to assist at the initiation. They do not 

 enter the lodge but stand outside, joining in the songs. Mide' songs 

 are sung in the sweat lodge, and the mitf gwakik' (Mide' drum) is 

 used. The leader of the entire ceremony is usually the leader in the 

 sweat lodge also. There is no prescribed length of time for remain- 

 ing in the sweat lodge, but several days are allowed for this portion 

 of the ceremony, at least four days being allowed if four men hold- 

 ing high degrees are in attendance. 



On the first evening and on each succeeding evening before the 

 initiation the men who are to assist in the ceremony sing in their 

 lodges, and all who desire may enter the lodges and dance. The 

 leader of the entire ceremony sings first in his lodge, drumming on 

 his mitl'gwaklk'. The man next in importance answers from his 

 lodge, and when he has finished the other men who are to take part 

 in the initiation sing in their lodges in the order of their importance, 

 " to show how glad they are that this person is to join the Mide'wlwln." 

 Then they all sing together, each his own song in his own wigwam. 



Each MIde'wJnI'nl has his own set of songs, some of which he has 

 composed and some of which he has purchased for large sums of 

 money or equal value in goods. It occasionally happens that two 

 men have the same song, but this is a coincidence. It is not permis- 

 sible for one man to sing a song belonging to another unless he has 

 purchased the right to sing it. The songs owned by individuals are 

 those connected with the use of medicine, and when a man buys a 

 song he receives some of the medicine for use. 



During the evenings which precede the initiation ceremony it is cus- 

 tomary for members of the Mide'wiwhi to enter the lodges of the lead- 

 ers and ask for instruction or information regarding the Mide'. For 

 this purpose a person would go, if possible, to the Mide'winl'nl who 

 initiated him, as the men always take an interest in those whom they 

 have initiated and require smaller gifts from them. The person desir- 

 ing such assistance takes a kettle of food or some other gift, enters 

 the lodge while the man is singing, and waits until he finishes the 

 song, thereupon placing the gift before him and asking the desired 

 instruction or advice, which is willingly given. One who does not 

 wish to ask a favor may enter any lodge and dance without pre- 

 senting a gift. 



The following is an example of the songs which the Mide'winl'nl 

 sing in their lodges during the evenings preceding the initiation 

 ceremony. Other songs for similar use are given at the close of this 

 chapter. It should be remembered that the songs given in connec- 

 tion with this ceremony are representatives of a class and not 

 obligatory. 



