170 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



[Bl'LL. 53 



Drum is started by one of the drummers. At this signal the five men 

 who have charge of the drum rise and dance around it. When theii- 

 special dancing is finished, they take the drum from the mclosure 

 and hold it near a fire until the desired resonance is restored. The 

 fastening of a drumhead is rarely disturbed, tightening being accom- 

 plished by exposmg it to the heat of a fire or of the sun. 



No. 70. Song of the Drum (Catalogue No. S. ]1) 



Sung by Mec'kawiga'bau 

 Voice J := 84 

 Drum J = 92 

 ( Drum-rhythm similar to No. 2) 



r^— n ^ r- I 







-A 





>.-i» 



H«- 



^ 



Analysis. — This melody is major in tonality and contains the tones 

 of the fourth five-toned scale. The rhythmic unit, which is short, is 

 found m both double and triple measures. The song is somewhat 

 awkward m both phrasmg and progressions. 



The actual presentation of the drum began about 3 o'clock in the 

 afternoon. Bi'jikens crossed the dancing circle, and, taking Wis 'kino 

 by the hand, led hmi to a seat beside the officers of the chief drum. 

 Standing before him, Bi'jikens then made the presentation speech, 

 asking him to select those among his people whom he intended to 

 intrust with the care of the drum. Removhig all his beadwork, Bi'- 

 jlkens hung it around the neck of Wis 'kino, even bestowing on him 

 his coat and vest. A blanket was then spread on the ground before 

 Wis 'kino, and the Chippewa proceeded to heap gifts upon it. Among 

 other articles women brought strips of cloth or garments they had 

 made and shawls and quilts, while the men brought blankets and 

 shirts. There seemed no end to the variety of gifts, some new and 

 some well worn. More than one woman, takmg the shawl from her 

 shoulders, laid it on the pile and walked away with no protection 

 from the cliilly autumn wind. Even little childi^n added their gifts 

 to the constantly growmg store. 



When the pile of gifts was considered complete, the drum was lifted 

 from its supports and allowed to rest on the mattmg, the supports 

 were taken down and laid beside the drum, the smgers and drummers 



