148 BUEEAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 53 



interval may have come to the Indians from this source. The promi- 

 nence of the octave in Chippewa melodies is noted on page 4. 



The chief of the band, owner of the drum, speaker, and the four 

 leading dancers sit on the long seat which surrounds the dancing hall 

 or circle. The aid sits alone at a little distance, ready to act as mes- 

 senger. Those who take care of the drum and the pipes have no 

 official duties during a ceremony and are usually seated with the 

 drummers. 



As the gift of a drum involves the return of gifts supposed to equal 

 in value the drum and the presents bestowed by the original drum 

 party, it is customary for the man presenting the drum to ascertain 

 from the one to whom he wishes to present it whether the latter 

 desires to assume the obligations associated with its acceptance. This 

 is done several months before the drum is to be given. It is the duty 

 of the recipient to see that a suitable quantity of gifts is presented to 

 the drum party at the ceremony, that one or more feasts are pro- 

 vided for the guests, and that their camp is supplied with food during 

 theii' entire stay. At some later date he must return a fuU equiva- 

 lent of gifts to the donor of the drum. A year or two may elapse 

 before he is prepared to do this. Wlien he is ready he sends a mes- 

 senger to the donor, and shortly afterward visits him with a large 

 party carrying the gifts. 



About 10 days before the presentation of the drums by the Lac 

 du Flambeau Chippewa to the Menominee two messengers were sent 

 with the warrior pipes belonging to the two drums. Before they 

 left Lac du Flambeau a dance was held, the final song being the 

 Sioux song of departure sung at the close of all the gatherings con- 

 nected with the Drum-presentation Ceremony. 



All the ceremonial songs given in connection with the following 

 narrative were sung by Mec'kawiga'bau (pi. 20), one of the promi- 

 nent singers of the tribe. As he was the leading singer of the drum 

 presented by Bi'jikens, these songs represent those of a chief drum; 

 the songs used during the presentation ceremony of the warrior drum 

 were dift'erent, although they have the same general characteristics. 



