382 A STUDY OF SIOUAN CULTS. 



tent of the Elk geiis, and there they assisted the Elk people in the in- 

 vocation of the Tliimder-being. At a similar gathering of the Ponka, 

 the Ponka Black bear people said, "Hau,i"c'^ge, (J-i^ucpa (f-efu afi'ga- 

 ta" ganaxiwa(J!a(J;ai. Ma"cia;aha ma"^iii'ga," i. e., "Ho, venerable mar ! 

 by yonr striking (with your club) you are frightening us, your graud- 

 childreu, who are here. Depart on high.'" 



THUNDKR-BEING INVOKED HY WARRIORS. 



The Thunder-being is invoked by all present during the feast pre- 

 paratory to starting on the warpath, when there is a small party of 

 warriors. Each one addresses the Thunder-being as " Nuda°hanga," 

 leader in war, or war captain.' 



When a large war party is desired, the Thunder-being is invoked 

 (See history of Wabaskaha, in Contr. N. A. Ethu., Vol. vi, p. 394). 

 Wabaskaha himself prayed, saying, "Oh, Wakanda, though foreigners 

 have injured me, I hope that you may help me." All who heard him 

 knew that he desired to lead a large war party. Wheu the four cap- 

 tains were chosen, they had to cry incessantly at night as well as by 

 day, saying, "Oh, Wakanda! pity me! help me in that about which I 

 am in a bad humor." During the day they abstained from food and 

 drink; but they could satisfy their thirst and hunger when night 

 came. 



At the feast preparatory to starting oft" as a large war party, the 

 keepers of the sacred bags sing thunder songs as well as other sacred 

 songs. One of the thunder songs used on such an occasion begins 

 thus: 



" Wi-;i-ga'" na"'-pe-wa-(;'e e-ga", 



Wi-L^i-ga" na"'-pe-wa-(f',e e-ga°, 



We-ti" ke gfi-ha^'-ha" >(], 



Na"'-pe-wA-f e ." 



"As my grandfather is dangerous, 



As my grandfather is dangerous, 



Dangerous when he brandishes his club, 



Dangerous ." 



- When he had proceeded thus far, ja((!i''-na'>paji stopped and refused 

 to tell the rest, as it was very " waqube." He said that the principal 

 captains of a large war party tied pieces of twisted grass aroiind their 

 wrists and ankles, and wore similar pieces around their heads. But 

 Two Crows, who has been a captain, says that he never did this. (See, 

 however, the Iowa custom in § 75.) 



'See Omaha Sociology, J24, 3(1. Ann. Rept. Bnr. Etbn., p. 227. 

 ^ Omaha Sociology, in 3d. Ann. Rept. Bur. Ktbn., p. 316. 



