118 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 53 



Songs on the Return of a Victorious War Party 



On returiiiiig, a victorious war party sent runners in advance to 

 carry the news of their approach, and preparations for a suitable 

 reception were begun at once. Meantime the warriors made their 

 last camp before reaching home; here they rehearsed the songs con- 

 cerning the victory and arrayed themselves ui their finest apparel. 

 Then began the final stage of the journey. As they approached the 

 village they fired guns as a signal and the women came out to meet 

 them. One woman led the party, to whom were given the scalps 

 taken by the warriors. Each scalp was dried, and fastened inside a 

 hoop at the end of a pole. Occasionally several were fastened in the 

 same hoop (see pi. 17, showing five scalps in a decorated hoop). 

 Frequently a man gave Ms wife the Sioux scalp he had taken. The 

 women took the warriors' blankets, beadwork, and tobacco bags, 

 and even their guns, none of which were they required to return. 

 Then the women led the procession, the scalp bearers in advance, 

 waving the scalps and singing. After the party reached the village 

 preparations for the victory dance were begun. A suitable place 

 was selected, to which was carried a large quantity of food — dried 

 meat, wild rice, and maple sugar. The poles bearmg the Sioux 

 scalps were stuck in the ground beside the pile of food, and the feast 

 was called "feasting the Sioux." There was no song connected with 

 this feast. After the feast a simple ceremony in praise of the war- 

 riors took place. The victors were seated in a row and their friends 

 brought gifts, which were laid before them. Often the following song 

 was sung at this time. The words of this song require explanation. 

 According to Odjib'we, defeated warriors were treated with scorn 

 and derision when they returned. This is the song of victorious Gull 

 Lake warriors, who were being honored at some other village, the 

 inference intended to be drawn from the words being the exact oppo- 

 site of their direct translation. Odjib'we stated that the words of 

 the song meant ''at Gull Lake [our home] they will be proud of us," 

 but the correct translation is as given. This song was recorded 

 three times, a period of several weeks elapsmg between the ren- 

 ditions. The words varied somewhat, but Odjib'we stated that all 

 have the same general meaning and that it was allowable to change 

 the words of a song provided the "tmie" and the meaning of the 

 words remained the same. 



