DENSMoRE] MANDAN AND HIDATSA MUSIC 111 
were not original compositions, like the “ dream songs” of the Chip- 
pewa and Sioux medicine men, but were old songs that had been 
handed down for many generations in the society. The full num- 
ber of rehearsals was 40 or 50, but some could be deducted in return 
for each valuable present given the old man. It was required that 
the boy give him food every night that they were singing together. 
During this time the boy addressed the old man as “ father,” and 
- this continued until the songs were sung at the society. 
Bear-on-the-flat said that the meetings of the society were held 
in the afternoon and that the members required the entire morning 
for preparation. They cut the hair short on one side of the head, 
tied a black cloth around the head, and stuck a feather upright in this 
band. Long strings of beads were hung at either side of their faces. 
The gayest raiment was worn and both men and horses were painted, 
the latter being decorated according to the owner’s fancy. The men 
wore a whistle suspended around the neck, blowing on it occasionally, 
and they usually carried a gun or a bow and arrows. The procession 
of the society that preceded their meeting was led by two men with 
rattles and behind them walked two men carrying long staves, one of 
which was wound with otter fur and one with wolf fur. These were 
followed by members of the society, either on horseback or walking 
two by two. The rattles were shaken vigorously and the men “ trot- 
ted” on their way around the village circle. Sometimes the proces- 
sion paused in front of a lodge and the men danced until gifts were 
brought out and distributed. These were various articles and not 
gifts of food, as a feast awaited the members of the society in their 
lodge. At this meeting the “ fathers” presented their respective 
“sons” with elaborate garments, often including red cloth for a 
suit that cost 10 buffalo robes at the trader’s store. If the young 
men were married, their wives received similar gifts. This was an 
occasion of much rivalry, the spectators being curious to see which 
boy had chosen the best “ father.” The boy also contributed gifts 
that were distributed at the feast. Many dancing songs were used 
in the lodge, and after any of them a warrior might rise, go forward, 
and strike the drum as a signal that he wished to relate one of his 
deeds of valor. This was said to “ give the singers and drummers a’ 
chance to rest.” The rattle and whistle used in this society are noted 
on pages 8 and 9. See also plate 19, bd. 
Bear-on-the-flat said that if the enemy were believed to be ready 
to attack the village, so that a battle might be expected on the mor- 
row, it was customary for the Crazy Dogs to go around the village 
late in the afternoon singing their war songs, while at a distance the 
old men sat together singing their personal songs to encourage the 
young warriors. 
