458 A STUDY OF SIOUAN CULTS. 



BUILDING OF DANCING LODGE. 



§ 168. Next follows the building of the daucing lodge. (See PI. xlvi. 

 and § 3 1 7.) Forked posts are set in the ground in two concentric circles. 

 Those posts forming the circle nearer the sun pole are a few feet higher 

 than the posts in the outer circle, thus making a slant sufficient for a 

 roof. From the inner circle of posts to the sun pole there is no roof, as 

 the dancers who stand near the pole must see the sun and moon. From 

 each forked post to the next one in the same circle is laid a tent pole; 

 and on the two series of these horizontal tent-poles are placed the sap- 

 lings or poles forming the roof. In constructing the wall of the dancing 

 lodge they use the leaf shields, and probably some poles or branches 

 of trees, the shields and leaves stuck in the wall here and there, in 

 no regular order, leaving interstices through which the spectators can 

 peep at the dancers. A verj- wide enti'ance is made, through which 

 can be taken a horse, as well as the numerous offerings brought to be 

 given away to the poor. Then they smoke the pipe, as in that manner 

 they think that they can induce their Great Mysterious One to smoke. 



§169. All having been made ready, the aged men and the chief men 

 of the camp kick off their leggins and moccasins, and as many as have 

 pistols take them to the dancing lodge, around the interior of which 

 they iierform a dance. As they pass around the sun pole, all shoot at 

 once at the objects suspended from the pole (§ 164), knocking them aside 

 suddenly. Leaving the dancing lodge, they dance around the interior 

 of the camiiing circle till they reach their respective tents. 



THE UrCITA. 



§ 170. This is followed by the " uu^ita." Each man ties up the tail of 

 his horse and dresses himself in his best attire. When they are ready, 

 they proceed two abreast around the interior of the camping circle, 

 shooting into the ground as they pass along, and filling the entire 

 area with smoke. There are so many of them that they extend almost 

 around the entire circle. If any of the riders are thrown from their 

 horses as they dash along, the others pay no attention to them, but step 

 over them, regarding nothing but the center of the camping cii'cle. 

 (SeePl. XLT.) 



§171. By this time it is nearly sunset. The young men and young 

 women mount horses and proceed in pairs, a young man beside a young 

 woman, singing as they pass slowly around the circle. The young men 

 sing first, and the young women respond, acting as a chorus. That 

 night the tent of i)repaiation is again erected. The candidates dance 

 there. The people gaze towards that tent, for it is rumored that the 

 candidates will march forth from it. 



DECORATION OF CANDIDATES Oil DEVOTEES. 



§ 172. The candidates spend the nightin decorating themselves. Each 

 one wears a fine scarlet blanket arranged as a skirt and with a good 



