228 



BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 

 Rhythmic Analysis — continued 



RHYTHMIC UNIT 



[bull. 5L 



Note. — No drum was used in connection with love sona;s. 



Begging Dance Songs ^ 



The first of the fonowing group of songs used in the beggmg dance 

 is said to have come from the Assinniboin, or Rock Sioux, many 

 years ago. The dance also was derived from the same tribe but has 

 been practised among the Chippewa for so many generations that it 

 may be regarded as one of their tribal dances. This song was said 

 to be connected with the origin of the dance. 



E'niwub'e stated that it was the custom among the Sioux to lay a 

 new-born baby boy on the ground about as far from the wigwam 

 door as the dogs usually lie. A place was made comfortable for the 

 child, who did not enter the wigwam until he could creep, when it 

 was said that he ''entered the wigwam as the dogs enter." While 

 the child lay on the ground outside the door the dogs formed a circle 

 around him with their heads toward him, and their breath helped to 

 keep him warm. It was said that the dogs gave this song to a boy 

 durmg the time that he spent among them. E'niwub'e said that the 

 dogs did not sing the song but willed the boy to know it and he did. 

 When the latter reached manhood he went from camp to camp sing- 

 ing this song, followed by the dogs. In his hand he carried a rattle 

 of deer hoofs which he shook as he sang. When he finished the song 

 he was given food and his dogs also were fed. This was the origin 

 of the begging dance. In its later use it was considered a legitimate 

 way for the needy members of the tribe to secure food and was also 

 practised for pleasure. A begging dance could be started at any 

 time, a leader and a small company going from one wigwam to 

 another, dancing and singing. If the occupants of the wigwam were 

 asleep the dancers entered and danced around their fire. The people 

 then arose and gave them food, for those who danced the begging 



> See p. 171, Bulletin 45, and p. 47 of the present work. 



