456 A STUDY OF SIOUAN CULTS. 



FEI.LTXi; THK TREK. 



§ 162. Each of the chosen men takes his turn in striking the tree 

 Everj' one mast first tell his exploits, then he brandishes the ax three 

 times without striking a blow, after which he strikes the tree once, 

 and only once, making a gash. He leaves the ax sticking in the tree, 

 whence it is removed by the next man. He who leaves the ax in the 

 tree is by this act considered to make a present of a horse to some one. 

 As soon as he gives the blow, his father (or some near kinsman) 

 approaches and hands him a stick, whereupon the young man returns 

 it, asking him to give it to such a one, calling him by name. For 

 instance, let us supjiose that a young man, Mato <?uwi maza. Grizzly 

 bear with an Iron Side, requests that his stick be given to Psica 

 waijkantuya, or Leaping High. The old man who is employed as the 

 crier goes to the camp and sings thus: '' Mato cuwi maza i-ya-ha-he+ ! 

 Mato cuwi maza i-ya-ha-he+ !" The last word is a sign of a brave deed 

 on the part of the donor, and it is so understood by every one. On 

 reaching the tent of the otlier man, the crier says, " Psica waijkantuya 

 isuqkawakaij wai} hiyo u ye+ ! Mato (?uwi maza ('•aij-wakaij kaksa ca 

 tasuijke waij hiyo u ye+ !" i. e., O Leaping High, a horse is brought to 

 you ! A horse is brought to you because Mato cuwi maza has given 

 a blow to the mystery tree !" On hearing this, Psica waijkantuya says, 

 "Ha-ye," or "Thanks !" as he extends his hands with the palms towards 

 the crier ; and he brings them down toward the ground and takes the 

 stick representing the horse. Then the crier passes along around the 

 circle, singing the praises of the donor, and naming the man who has 

 received the present. 



5 163. After all the choseii men have told of their deeds, and have 

 l^erformed their parts, the women select a man to speak of what gen- 

 erous things they have done, and when he has spoken, the larger 

 women who are able to fell trees rise to their feet, and take their turns 

 in giving one blow apiece to the tree. By the time that all the women 

 have struck the tree it falls, and all present shout and sing. Many 

 presents are made, and some of the people wail, making the entire 

 forest echo their voices. Then those men who are selected for that 

 purpose cut off all the limbs of the tree except the highest one, and 

 they do not disturb the tree top. Wherever a branch is cut oft' they 

 rub red paint on the wound. 



f 164. They make a bundle of some wood in imitation of that for 

 which they have prayed, and hang it crosswise from the fork of the tree. 

 Above the bundle they suspend a scarlet blanket, a buttalo robe or a 

 weasel skin, and under the bundle they fasten two pieces of dried buf- 

 falo hide, one being cut in the shape of a buifalo, and the other in that 

 of a man. 



Though Bushotter did not state the circumstance, it is remarkable 

 that both the figures have the membrnm virile rigid. The author learned 

 about this fi-om two trustworthy jjersons, who obtained all the para- 



