DENSMORE] MANDAN AND HIDATSA MUSIC 1138 
beyond the presentation of the Hidatsa Stone Hammer Society in a 
separate section. This society, as already stated, was not found 
among the Mandan. 
In many instances Hidatsa words were sung to an old melody 
because they were easier to sing and were more generally understood. 
Thus the language of the words does not always indicate the tribal 
origin of a song. 
Sronr Hammer Socrery or tHe Hipartsa 
This society consisted of boys between the ages of 10 and 16 years, 
though one informant stated that he remembered a boy of 7 who 
belonged to the society, and that boys sometimes remained in it until 
they were 18 years old. Membership in the society was purchased 
by a boy from a man of the same clan called his “clan father.” 
This man gave the boy his entire equipment, comprising clothing, 
ornaments, and insignia of the society. The boys gave valuable gifts 
in return for these and also contributed to a pile of presents that 
were distributed at his initiation. 
The Hidatsa word for societies in general is bii’dawani’di. As 
among other tribes this is not included in the name of an organiza- 
tion, which is known simply by its title. Thus the Hidatsa term 
for the Stone Hammer Society is Mi’i mani’paki (mi’i, stone, 
mati’ paki, mallet), referring to an implement for pounding meat or 
crushing bones. 
The chief purpose of the society was to train the boys in stealth 
and theft, but there were strict regulations concerning the manner 
in which this was done. Full notification must be given several 
hours before the Stone Hammers began a raid. If a member of the 
society committed a theft at any other time than that appointed and 
was discovered he was treated as a common thief. His membership 
in the society was no protection, and the society repudiated the act. 
He was also given some severe form of punishment. 
The Stone Hammer raids took place at night, and it was required 
that before sunset the boys go through the camp announcing that 
they would steal that night. Everyone was fully notified and pro- 
ceeded to hide their provisions in what they considered the safest 
places. That evening the boys assembled in their society lodge. 
They stripped to the breechcloth and daubed the back or chest with 
moist clay. When this was partly dry, they traced with a finger 
nail the figure of a mouse or rat, leaving the brown skin within the 
outline. Other designs in paint could be put on the body, all such 
decorations being in accordance with instructions given each boy 
by his clan father, The boy’s hair was all brought upward and to 
