DOESEY] ORDER OF THUNDER SHAMANS. 395 



a vision or dream in which the mystery objects are manifested. Those 

 who could use the class of designs represented in the accompanying 

 illustrations (Figs. liiC-lCl) were members of the order of Thunder 

 shamans (lug^a" ifa'e^e-ma). 



OliDER OF THUNDEl! SHAMANS. 



§ 45. This order is composed of those who have had dreams or visions, 

 in which they have seen the Thunder-l)oing, the Sun, the Moon, or some 

 other superterrestrial objects or phenomena. 



When a i)erson saw the Thunder-being or some other mystery ob- 

 ject, he kept the matter a secret for some time. lie took care to join 

 the first war party that went from his- camp or village. When the 

 party reached the land of the enemy or got into some trouble the man 

 t«ld of his dream or vision. Should the dreamer or seer kill or grasp 

 a foe while a member of the expedition he made a Thunder song. He 

 who bnmght back one of the enemy's horses also had the right to 

 make a Thunder song. Some time having elapsed after the return of 

 the warriors, the seer painted the mystery objects on a robe or blanket, 

 aud prepared a feast, to which he invited all the members of the order 



r^ 



I.. 



Fif). 158._Eobe of Wauukige. 



of Thunder shamans. When the guests had assembled the robe was 

 hung up and shown to them. Then all who were present rejoiced. 

 From that time onward the host was a member of the order, and he 

 could wear the robe with safety. 



He could give his son the right to wear such a robe, but unless that 

 son had a similar vision he could not transmit the right to one of the 

 next generation. Little Soldier painted a buffalo robe with his per- 

 sonal mystery decoration, and gave it to Two Crows, whose father had 

 been one of the leaders of the order of Thunder shamans. So Two 

 Crows wore the robe, and he can make another like it; but he can not 

 transmit the right to his son, Ga'i"-bajT. Two Crows would have been 

 afraid to wear the robe or to copy the decoration on it had he not been 

 a member of the order by direct inheritance from his father. A 

 father can clothe his son in such a robe when that son is large enough 



