DENS more] CHIPPEWA MUSIC 53 



The members of the medicine party were in the center of the 

 lodge, the relatives and friends of Flat Mouth being seated along the 

 sides of the inclosure. At the opening of the ceremony Flat Mouth 

 was carried several times around the inclosure on his green blanket 

 and laid gently upon the bed of boughs. 



Then a man from Pine Point said he wished to brew a medicine 

 of his own for Flat Mouth. He told of the virtue of this medi- 

 cine and said that it might not cure Flat Mouth but he believed 

 that it would make him more comfortable. He said that the secret 

 of this medicine was given him in a dream as a boy; tliat the prin- 

 cipal ingredient was part of a large animal which he saw in his dream, 

 and that he always carried this ingredient in his medicine bag. 



The consent of Flat Mouth being secured, the man proceeded to 

 brew the medicine. As he did this, he gave the ya a hi' , a hi, a hi, hi 

 hi hi hi, so frequently heard in the Mide'. He was joined by another 

 voice, beginning about a fourth higher and sliding down to a unison. 



When the brewing of the medicine was completed Na'joi'se took 

 the steaming cup and carried it five times around the old chief; then 

 he gave the cup to Flat Mouth, who drank the medicine. 



This was followed by a ''prayer to the medicine pole," interrupted 

 by frequent ejaculations of he he he. 



Then the feast was served. This consisted of the cooked dog, 

 with the broth. It was required that all of this be eaten in the 

 lodge. There were also bread and wild rice, portions of which were 

 carried away by the guests at the close of the ceremony. 



Each member of the medicine party carried a medicine bag, cor- 

 responding to his degree in the Mide'wiwin. The members now stood 

 in a circle around the chief and each in turn sang a song, after which 

 they marched once around the inclosure. The first few songs were 

 without accompaniment, while the others were accompanied softly 

 b}'" the Mide' drum. There was a marked individuality in the songs, 

 suggesting that each person may have been singing his special medicine 

 song. Next the members of the party, each chewing his own medi- 

 cine, marched around the dying chief, and spit into a box of sawdust 

 at his feet. A man then stirred this mixture, which was rubbed on 

 the soles of Flat Mouth's feet. Each member also laid a pinch of it 

 on his body. 



Following tills, each of the medicine party sang a song and marched 

 around the chief, "shooting" his medicine bag at him. 



Then all marched around the chief, carrying M3fde' shells in their 

 left hands. Each person laid one shell on the chief's body in pass- 

 ing, and after circhng his body took up the shell again. These shells 

 were similar to the mi'gis mentioned on page 48. 



By this time the old chief was failing so rapidly that it was deemed 

 advisable to carry him into his wigwam. This was done, the men 



