CEREMONIES 

 The White Buffalo Calf Pipe (Ptehin'cala Canoi^'pa) 



It is fitting that a narrative of the gift of the White Buffalo Calf pipe 

 to the Sioux should introduce the present account of the ceremonies 

 and customs of the tribe. Throughout this memoir reference will 

 be made to ceremonial acts performed in accordance with the instruc- 

 tions of the WTiite Buffalo Maiden, a supernatural being through 

 whose agency the ceremonial pipe was given to the Sioux. ^ 



The narrative in its present form was given by Isna'la-wica' (Lone 

 Man; see pi. 23), and is recorded in the words of the interpreter, l^lr. 

 Robert P. Higheagle. Preceding this recital by Lone Man, the sub- 

 ject had been studied with other informants for more than two years. 

 A summary of this study was read to Lone Man and discussed with 

 him, after which he was requested to give the narrative in connected 

 form, incorporating therewith material which he wished to add.^ 



The ancient and sacred tradition of the Sioux was given by Lone 

 Man as follows: 



In the olden times it was a general custom for the Sioux tribe (especially the Teton 

 band of Sioux) to assemble in a body once at least during the year. This gathering 

 took place usually about that time of midsummer when everything looked beautiful 

 and everybody rejoiced to live to see nature at its best— that was the season when 

 the Sun-dance ceremony took place and vows were made and fulfilled. Sometimes 

 the tribal gathering took place in the fall when wild game was in the best condition, 

 when wild fruits of all kinds were ripe, and when the leaves on the trees and plants 

 were the brightest. 



One reason why the people gathered as they did was that the tribe as a whole might 

 celebrate the victories, successes on the warpath, and other good fortunes which had 

 occm-red during the year while the bands were scattered and each band was acting 

 somewhat independently. Another reason was that certain rules or laws were made 

 by the head chiefs and other leaders of the tribe, by which each band of the tribe was 

 governed . For instance, if a certain band got into trouble with some other tribe, as 

 the Crows, the Sioux tribe as a whole should be notified. Or if an enemy or enemies 

 came on their hunting grounds the tribe should be notified at once. In this way the 

 Teton band of Sioux was protected as to its territory and its hunting grounds. 



After these gatherings there was a scattering of the various bands. On one such 

 occasion the Sans Arc band started toward the west. They were moving from place 

 to place, expecting to find buffalo and other game which they would lay up for their 

 winter supply, but they failed to find anj-thing. A council was called and two 

 young men were selected to go in quest of buffalo and other game. They started on 

 foot. When they were out of sight they each went in a different direction, but met 

 again at a place which they had agreed upon. While they were planning and planning 



1 In connection with this chapter see Fletcher, Alice C, The White Buffalo Festival cf the Uncpapas, 

 Peabody Museum Reports, m, Nos. 3 and 4, pp. 260-75, Cambridge, 1884. 



' Other material obtained from Lone Man is found in the chapter on the Sun dance (p. 92), the heyo'ka 

 (pp. 159-170), and the sacred stones (pp. 214-217). 



63 



