DENSMORB] CHIPPEWA MUSIC 123 



Analysis. — The chief rhythmic phrase of this sono; is short, clearly 

 marked, and frecjuently repeated. It is comprised in the second and 

 third measures of the soncj. This recurring? plirase is easily traced 

 and is always given in exact time. The intervening measures are in 

 less regular time, the words somewhat resembling metric speech and 

 the note values varying accordingly. They are, however, indicated as 

 correctly as possible. The use of an accented sixteenth note before 

 a dotted eighth note is not common in the White Earth songs, but 

 was frequently found in the songs collected at Red Lake. This song 

 is melodic in structure, beginning on the sixth and ending on the 

 third of the fourth five-toned scale. 



2. SONG OF THE JUGGLER 



The supernatural power of the Chippewa doctor is shown by the 

 recovery of his patient; the supernatural power of the Chippewa 

 juggler is shown by a performance which is universal throughout the 

 tribe. In this performance the juggler frees himself from the tightest 

 cords, causes his lodge to sway as though blown by a tempest, and 

 summons the spirits of wild animals whose voices are heard by the 

 spectators. The accounts of these performances are authentic, but 

 the ability to perform the feat has never been explained. 



The following description of a juggler's performance was given in 

 connection with the song, the narrator stating that he had seen the 

 performance by Ce'deens' and had heard him sing the song at that 

 time. 



The preparations were as follows : Eight poles were placed upright 

 in the ground. These poles were 12 to 14 feet high. They were sunk 

 in the ground 2 or 3 feet and were placed about 2 feet apart. They 

 were bound together by hoops, eight of which were fastened around 

 the poles at intervals. After the completion of this framework 

 Ce'deens' sang this song. Then he was bound with ropes made 

 of the inner bark of the basswood tree, his hands were tied behind 

 him, his feet were tied, a large stone was placed on his chest, and 

 he was bound around with stout gill nets, so that he was "like a 

 ball." Four men carried him eight times around the circle of poles 

 and then threw him inside the inclosure. One of the four men then 

 called, "Come, ye people of the sky, come and smoke." In a few 

 moments the poles began to shake; the whole structure rocked 

 and swayed as though a tornado were blowing; yet there was no 

 wind and the sky was cloudless. Soon a voice was heard. The 

 voice said, "Who is tying up my grandchild? I am going to break 

 those ropes and throw them over where you are sitting." 



The people seated on the ground, watching the })erformance, heard 

 the voice, and in a few moments they saw the ropes coming through 

 the air. These fell near the people, who hastened to examine them 



