92 



BtTREAtJ OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull 45 



No. 76. Love-charm Song (Catalogue no. 53) 



Sung by Manido^gicigo^kwe 



Voice J =84 

 Recorded without drum 



Songs Connected with the Cure of the Sick 



The treatment of the sick is conducted by the older members of 

 the Mide'wiwin, special songs being sung in connection with the 

 use of medicinal herbs. This treatment is frequently given in con- 

 junction with an initiation ceremony, the person being initiated in 

 order to cure him of his bodily illness. Reference is made to song 

 no. 47 (p. 73), the words of which are more characteristic of the 

 Mide' than the words of the songs which follow under this heading 

 and which are connected with personal incidents. In song no. 47 

 the power of the Mide' to cure the sick is affirmed and emphasized, 

 it being further stated that the white shell is the means used to that 

 end. This element of affirmation is very strong in the Mide' and to 

 it may largely be attributed the power of the Mide' over the minds 

 of the Chippewa. 



Mi'jakiya'cig (" clearing sky"), an aged woman who is a member 

 of the Mkle'wiwin, sang the two following songs associated with 

 her personal experience." 



We'nabo'jo and his grandmother are the principal characters in 

 Chippewa folklore. We'nabo'jo is also connected with the Mide', 

 though the connection is not clearly defined. 



a Mi'jakiya'clg stated that she was very ill when she was a young woman. Her parents prepared a 

 feast and sent for a MIde'wInf'nf. After partaking of the feast the Mlde'wlnl'nl "spoke to the nianido'," 

 saying that she wished to have her life prolonged by means of the MIde'. He then smoked the tobacco 

 which her father had provided. A few days later a larger feast was held and many members of the Mlde'- 

 wlwln were invited. After all had smoked, the first Mlde'wlnl'nl told them her desire; then he sang these 

 two songs, the people dancing as he sang. Mi'jakiya'clg stated further that her health was entirely 

 restored. 



