SWANTON] INDIAN riUHKS OF TTIK LOWKR MISSlSSU'l'l VALLKV 285 



Tin; IIolLMA " 



This triho. wIkmi tlio Frciich (iist tlcscciulod tho Mississippi, was 

 localod oil hi^h oroiiiid in (lie cxlrcme soutliern j)iut of Wilkinson 

 County, Miss., or in (he northern ('(Igo of West Feliciiina Parish, La. 

 Tho river at that time inado a <irand sweep to the westward in front 

 of them to meet lie<l I'iver, so that there were two llouma hinding 

 phices, one l)eh)w and another, the piincipal one, above the bend. 



In Kl.S'i La Salle and Tonti were informed of the existence of a 

 tribe of this name, bnt passed without stopping, nor did they visit 

 it on their return.'' Four years later, however, on his ascent, the 

 latter made an alliance with them and notes that they were '" the 

 bravest savages of the river." '^ 



The next visitor was Iberxille, who describes his sojourn among 

 them as follows: 



The 20th fof Mnreh. 10091 T reached the landing place of the Onnia village, at 

 half-past 10 in the uiornintr, distant from my camp about .'i leajiues. where I 

 found tive men. three Oumas and Quiniitissjis ( Acolapissas), who awaited me 

 with the peaee calumet, havinj;; come from tlie villafje when tliey heard the 

 report of the swivel gun. As far off as they discovered us they sang, and the 

 Bayogoukis whom 1 had sang for me. Lauding, we embraced and caressed 

 each other after their manner, and smoked together. At 11 I set out for the 

 village, the Bayogoulas and these people escorting us the entire way. The 

 deputies of the Oumas walked in front, singing continually, although we had 

 to pass altmg a very bad road, filled with very steep hills or little mountains 

 for almost the whole distance. One hour after midday we came in sight of the 

 village, where, at 400 paces, I met three men deputed to bring me the calumet. 

 It was necessary to smoke in form, seated on a mat, which fatigued me nmch, 

 I never having smoked. These three new singers conducted me up a height, 

 where there were three cabins, at 300 paces fx'om the village, where they had 

 me stop and sent to inform the chief of my arrival, waiting a replj' as to what 

 we should do. A man came to tell us to enter. On entering the three singers 

 walked in front, singing, presenting to the village the calumet of peace, raised 

 as high as their arms would reach. The chief and two of the most important 

 pei'sons came before me at the enti'ance of the village, each bearing a white 

 cross in the hand, and saluted me in their manner, taking me by the arms, 

 leading me to the middle of their sqnai-e [and placing us] on mats, where all 

 the village was assembled, where they smoked anew, and showed me many 

 marks of friendship. I made them a little present in advance of what I wished 

 to give them from my boats. At 4 o'clock in the evening they gave a formal 

 ball for us in the middle of the square, where the entire village was assembled. 

 They brought into the midst of the assembly drums [and] chychycouchy, which 

 are gourds, in which there are dry seeds, and with sticks for holding them ; 

 they make a little noise and serve to mark the time. A number of singers 

 repaired thither. A short time afterward there came 20 young people of from 

 20 to 30 years old, and 15 of the prettiest young girls magnificently adorned 

 after their manner, entirely naked, having only their breechcloths on, which 

 they wore above a kind of belt a foot broad, made of feathers and skin or 

 hair painted red, yellow, and white, the face and the body daubed or painted 



" For the meaning of this word, see p. 29. 

 "•Margry, D^couvortes, i, 559, 604, 1875. 

 ■^ Ibid., Ill, 556, 1878; French, Hist. Coll. La., 68, 1846. 



